Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles

09/09/2026

Brownfields aren't just empty lots; they're toxic reminders of racist, discriminatory planning decisions.

But here's the thing: they have the potential to become spaces that our communities need. Parks. Housing. Green space. 🌱

The key? Community voices leading the way.

That's where the TIERRA Community Toolkit comes in — a free resource to help residents, advocates, and decision-makers:
✅ Learn about brownfields
✅ Take collective action to clean up contaminated sites
✅ Reimagine what these spaces can become

Ready to get involved? Visit psr-la.org/tierraproject

https://youtu.be/1CvD4TEBQX0
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Los terrenos industriales baldíos se deben a décadas de planificación discriminatoria.

Es una injusticia ambiental. Pero estos lugares pueden convertirse en espacios deseables y valiosos para la comunidad. Como viviendas asequibles, centros comunitarios, parques y otros usos colectivos.

La clave del verdadero éxito es trabajar con la comunidad.

Por eso lanzamos las herramientas para la comunidad de TIERRA. Este recurso gratis es para los residentes, los defensores y las personas encargadas de tomar decisiones de la comunidad:

✅ Aprendan sobre los terrenos industriales baldíos
✅ Tomen medidas colectivas para limpiar estos sitios contaminados y
✅ Dar forma a estos espacios

¿Listo para ser parte del cambio? Visite psr-la.org/tierraproject

El video también está disponible en español: https://youtu.be/j64vYiK6OiE

When you walk through your neighborhood, have you ever stumbled upo...

09/04/2026

In early August, LA City Council voted to allow LADWP to move forward with its plan to retrofit the Scattergood gas plant.

Instead of decommissioning the plant, it will burn a mix of hydrogen and natural gas near homes, communities, and the environment.

We're not letting this slide.

We've joined environmental advocates and allies in an ongoing lawsuit over the City's failure to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Read more: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2026/09/03/environmental-groups-join-scattergood-hydrogen-retrofit-lawsuit/

09/02/2026

"This is a public health measure, not just an environmental one. Public review is often what catches health risks like toxic emissions and water contamination before a project breaks ground. As physicians, we don't get to ignore the data. Prop 45 asks every Californian to look the other way on these risks."

On the steps of the California State Capitol, PSR-LA Board Member Paulina Nava joined community leaders, environmental justice advocates, and CEJA alliance members in making our stance clear— NO ON PROP 45!

Visit https://www.noprop45ca.com/ to learn more.

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08/31/2026

We're wrapping up this month by taking a look at people power in action ✊

More than 230 members of the California Environmental Justice Alliance traveled to Sacramento for the 10th Congreso!

PSR-LA staff and health professional members were on the ground with community leaders, partners, and friends from across the state, ensuring environmental and health justice remained front and center in our legislators' minds.

There's more to be done, but with leaders like these, we can build a future that prioritizes community and health.

07/31/2026

CEQA is a critical tool, often the only tool, to prevent the worst impacts of pollution. By dramatically weakening CEQA, Prop 45 shifts the public health burden from polluters to taxpayers.

We are seeing the harms of living near industrial facilities; the Lineage fire in Boyle Heights and the near-catastrophic explosion in Garden Grove show what's at stake for communities every day. With fewer protections, communities will have little to no say over what goes on in their neighborhoods.

Billionaires and big corporations don't need any more benefits. Vote no on Prop 45 this November.

Read more on our blog: https://www.psr-la.org/stay-informed/blog/vote-no-on-prop-45

07/29/2026

SB954 restores the most essential public health and environmental safeguards removed by SB131 last year. The bill would help ensure stronger protections from toxic chemicals near homes and schools, safeguard clean water, and protect taxpayers from the long-term costs of pollution and environmental damage. These are the kinds of protections that CEQA was designed to uphold.

Find your legislator at findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov and ask them to support SB 954 and strong limits on toxic industry near neighborhoods.

Read more at https://calmatters.org/environment/2026/03/advanced-manufacturing-ceqa-reform-blakespear.

California exempted advanced manufacturing from CEQA review by mistake. Now environmental and industry groups are fighting over the fix.

12/29/2025

Before the year ends, longtime board member and dear friend Dr. Jimmy Hara has a question for you: What is your passion? What do you want to leave for future generations?

Read more about Dr. Hara’s remarkable story as we close out the year and celebrate our 45th anniversary. His message reminds us of the power of hope, resilience, and working together toward a safer, cleaner, and healthier future.

Cheers to 45 years — and many more to come.

psr-la.org/stay-informed/blog/message-from-dr-hara

12/22/2025

From LA to Louisiana to the Global South — the same fossil fuel system that poisons our air, water, and bodies is betting its future on plastics.

Plastic isn’t just waste. It’s a global health crisis.

Global decisions shape state and local policy in meaningful ways. That’s why PSR-LA has joined frontline communities, health professionals, CBOs, wastepickers, and advocates from around the world at the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations — building power with those who bear the brunt of this crisis.

This isn’t just about plastic. It’s about climate justice. Health justice. Racial justice.

Before the year ends: read more, learn more, and get ready for what’s next.

👉 Before the year ends, read the full story (link in bio) by our Director of Climate & Health Programs, Maro Kakoussian, about our journey in global policy and building a future where no community is sacrificed for profit!

psr-la.org/stay-informed/blog/plastics-a-global-crisis

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