PSR is the U.S. affiliate of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War

Energy Independence: Energy Independence: Securing a Healthy and Peaceful WorldSecuring a Healthy and Peaceful World

Catherine Thomasson, MDCatherine Thomasson, MD

America’s Energy Policy

Fossil Fuel Impacts on Public Health

Global WarmingGlobal Warming Fossil fuel pollution Fossil fuel pollution Resource warsResource wars

Smart Energy Choices

Improved efficiencies Improved efficiencies & conservation& conservation..

Investing and Investing and developing safe, developing safe, sustainable sustainable renewable energyrenewable energy..

Decentralized, more Decentralized, more secure energy secure energy sourcessources

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/sustainability/greenhouse_effect.html

Global Warming or Natural Variation? Data from Ice

Cores Levels of CO2 are 27% Levels of CO2 are 27%

higher than any point in higher than any point in the last 650,000 years. the last 650,000 years. 11/05 Science11/05 Science

www.ncdc.noaa.gov

The Warming Trend Has

Already Taken HoldA few examples:

• Oceans, which can store Oceans, which can store large amounts of heat, large amounts of heat, have warmed since 1950have warmed since 1950

• Antarctic ice shelves Antarctic ice shelves erodingeroding

• Alaskan tundra is thawingAlaskan tundra is thawing

• Sea level rise: 8 inches in Sea level rise: 8 inches in last 100 yearslast 100 years

S. Levitus et al, Science 2000; 287:2225-9

-2-2

-3-3

-4-4

-5-5

33

22

11

00

Agriculture Agriculture emergesemerges

MesopotamiaMesopotamiaflourishesflourishes Vikings inVikings in

GreenlandGreenland

End ofEnd oflastlastice ageice age YoungerYounger

DryasDryas

IPCC (2001) forecast:IPCC (2001) forecast:+ 1.4-5.8+ 1.4-5.8ooC, with band C, with band of uncertaintyof uncertainty

Little Ice Little Ice Age in EuropeAge in Europe(15th-18th(15th-18thcenturies)centuries)

21stcentury:

rapid rise

HoloceneHoloceneOptimumOptimum

Global Temperature: the Past 20,000 Years, & the Next 100 Years

Temp. Temp. change (ºC)change (ºC)

10,00010,000 2,0002,000 1,0001,000 300300 100100 NowNow +100+10020,00020,000

MedievalMedieval WarmWarm

Av. temp. over past 10,000 years =15 ºC

19401940

http://www.who.int/globalchange/climate/summary/en/

IPCC 2001: New IPCC 2001: New FindingsFindings

Climate is changing:Climate is changing:

Temp is up 1 deg F. Temp is up 1 deg F.

Range 2.5-10.4 by 2100Range 2.5-10.4 by 2100

Human action contributionHuman action contribution

Extreme Weather Events Heat waves, Droughts & Floods

Intensity & Frequency (rains

>2”/d)

Biological Systems are responding

HEAT WAVE Aug. 2003

14,000 dead in 14,000 dead in France (2003)France (2003)

No decrease in No decrease in mortality after mortality after heat waveheat wave

20,000 excess 20,000 excess deaths in Europedeaths in Europe

Incidence of Incidence of heat waves will heat waves will doubledouble

Am J Pub Health 2004;94(9) NASA

Heat Waves and

Poverty

Lack of air Lack of air conditioningconditioning

Inadequate or Inadequate or polluted waterpolluted water

Lack of health Lack of health servicesservices

www.unshod.org/iotw0010/ indiaHeatWave_small.jpg

Paris 2003

1,100,000 people displaced; 1,200 dead

Hurricane Katrina

Extreme Weather Leads to Outbreaks of

Infectious Diseases: Case

Study- Hurricane Mitch -- Malaria (>30,000 cases)

-- Dengue fever (>1,000) -- Cholera (>30,000) -- Leptospirosis

On average 13 times more people die per reported

disaster in countries with low human development indicators than those with high indicators.

Per UNEP

DISEASE DISEASE CLUSTERCLUSTER

> > Montana on August 6, 2000Bitteroot National Forest, Montana on August 6, 2000

Coastal Impacts of Rising Sea

Level Loss of islandsLoss of islands

Saltwater infiltration of Saltwater infiltration of clean drinking waterclean drinking water

Loss of tourism. Loss of tourism.

Construction blocks Construction blocks natural retreat of natural retreat of shore and shore and development of new development of new wetland.wetland.

St. Mary’s County

Effect on Oregon Snowpack

Temp in Oregon 1.3 deg F hotter. Temp in Oregon 1.3 deg F hotter. Up to 25% reduction in snowpack in Cascades Up to 25% reduction in snowpack in Cascades

since 1930’s. Expect 50-70% loss by 2050.since 1930’s. Expect 50-70% loss by 2050. Stream flow reductionsStream flow reductions Loss of snowpack affects tourism, skiing, Loss of snowpack affects tourism, skiing,

drinking water, irrigation and electricity drinking water, irrigation and electricity production in summerproduction in summer

www.vhtr.org

Global Warming & Infectious

Diseases

West Nile Virus WikipediaSchistosomiasis-CDC

Malaria-Medstar Lab

Mosquitoes on the Move

Source: World Wildlife Fund, 1996

Warmer temperatures encourage northward migration of malaria-carrying mosquitoes

Rising Temperatures

Worsen Air Pollution

RAGWEED POLLEN PRODUCTION

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

CO2 350ppm

CO2 700ppm

Height

Seed Mass

Pollen

Biomass

Wayne et al., Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 2002;8:279

p = 0.005

Asthma

16 million in US or 7.5% of 16 million in US or 7.5% of the population the population

9 million are children 9 million are children Increased 75% since 1980. Increased 75% since 1980. Largest increase in Largest increase in

preschool children (160%) preschool children (160%) Low income & African Low income & African

Americans Americans disproportionately affected.disproportionately affected.

Global Warming

Causes Asthma

In communities with high ozone concentrations: In communities with high ozone concentrations: relative risk of developing asthma in relative risk of developing asthma in children playing 3 or more sports = 3.3 (95% CI 1.9-children playing 3 or more sports = 3.3 (95% CI 1.9-5.8) compared with children playing no sports5.8) compared with children playing no sports

Lancet 2002; 359:386-91

US EPA

Other Fossil Fuel Pollution

Japanese oil storage fire. Tribune India

Natural Gas

Pipeline

Erosion at pipeline site in Oregon

(Geoengineers)

PGE-PGT

Total U.S. Energy Consumption 2000

Coal25%

Gas25%

Renew.0%

Oil40%

Nuclear9%

Hydro- electric

1%

National Energy Foundation

US Sources of Imported Oil 2004

www.eia.doe.gov

World Peak Natural Gas and Oil

Outcomes of Dependence on

Fossil Fuels Global WarmingGlobal Warming PollutionPollution Infrastructure Infrastructure

vulnerabilityvulnerability Foreign policy Foreign policy

decision-making decision-making based on based on acquiring fuelsacquiring fuels

Natural Gas pipeline from Caspian Sea to Turkey and Europe

The Security Cost of U.S. Oil Dependence

• Skews U.S. foreign policy.

• Oil revenues fund terrorism and/or conflict.

• Resource wars.• Vulnerable energy

infrastructure.• Proliferation risks of

nuclear power.

www.rrmuseumpa.org

Oil fires in war Iraq 1991

Oil Policy Linked to Foreign Policy

US Defense Dept, 2004

US in the Middle East Roosevelt and all Roosevelt and all

subsequent US subsequent US presidents support presidents support of the royal Saudi of the royal Saudi family family

CIA removal of CIA removal of Mossadegh of IranMossadegh of Iran

Carter’s support Carter’s support of Shahof Shah of Iran of Iran

Support for Support for Saddam Hussein Saddam Hussein against Iranagainst Iran

Invasion of IraqInvasion of Iraq

The Saudi Connection

How “$70” billion in oil money spawned a global terror network

By David E. Kaplan 12/15/03

““An attempt by any outside force to An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be America, and such an assault will be repelled repelled by any means necessary, by any means necessary, including military forceincluding military force. .

--President Jimmy Carter, --President Jimmy Carter, 1980 State of the Union Address1980 State of the Union Address

“Oil Drives US Basing” Defense News 9/03

Bases in Bases in Uzbekistan & Uzbekistan & KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan

Training missions Training missions in Georgiain Georgia

Azerbaijan with a Azerbaijan with a new US supported new US supported oil pipeline & oil pipeline & proposed site of proposed site of US military baseUS military base Airbase: Camp Stronghold Freedom,

Uzbekistan

Case Study: The Niger Delta

Adeje, Nigeria Fire Disaster

Oil and WarCountries that export oil are Countries that export oil are more than more than 40 times more 40 times more likely to be engaged in likely to be engaged in civil warcivil war than those that than those that

do not export oil.do not export oil.

--World Bank--World Bank

Oil, War and Public Health

War IS a medical War IS a medical issue:issue:– Physical injury– Psychological illness– Disability– Degradation of

public health infrastructure

– Lack of clean water– Lack of electricity– Loss of personal safety

Robert Fisk, Iraqi child

Vulnerable Energy

Infrastructure Vulnerable to attackVulnerable to attack

– Pentagon states Alaskan oil pipeline is indefensible

– Destruction of refineries by Hurricane Katrina

3 proposed Liquid 3 proposed Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Natural Gas (LNG) terminals in Oregon-terminals in Oregon-Coos Bay, Astoria, Coos Bay, Astoria, St. HelensSt. Helens

www.gasnet.com Kenai, Alaska

Zebu. uoregon.edu

Nuclear Power Vulnerabilities

U.S. home to >100 U.S. home to >100 nuclear power nuclear power plantsplants

Vulnerable to Vulnerable to attack or sabotageattack or sabotage

Located near Located near population centerspopulation centers

No safe storageNo safe storage Inadequate securityInadequate security

1)1) Strengthen international Strengthen international institutions and support the institutions and support the “Rule of Law”. “Rule of Law”.

2)2) Stop the spread of nuclear Stop the spread of nuclear weaponsweapons

3)3) Change budget priorities to Change budget priorities to reflect real security needsreflect real security needs

4)4) Address the root causes of Address the root causes of terrorism—poverty & terrorism—poverty & hopelessnesshopelessness

SMART Platform

2006 House Resolution 158

Less than 5%Less than 5% of the of the Department of Energy’s Department of Energy’s budget pays for budget pays for energy energy

efficiency and renewable efficiency and renewable sourcessources like wind, solar, and like wind, solar, and

biomass.biomass.

Since 1947 US paid $145 Since 1947 US paid $145 billion on nuclear R& D billion on nuclear R& D

versus $5 billion on versus $5 billion on renewablesrenewables

Trojan Nuclear Plant Ancil Nance

Solutions

Governmental Actions

Regulate or increase Regulate or increase incentives to improve incentives to improve efficiency in housing, efficiency in housing, transportation, and transportation, and industryindustry

Develop new clean Develop new clean energy or increase energy or increase market incentives to market incentives to do so.do so.

Salem, OR Capitol

State of Oregon website for energy resources

egov.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

Transportation Efficiencies

Corporate Average Fuel Corporate Average Fuel Economy StandardsEconomy Standards::– Current 27.5mgp/20.5 truck

– Increase to 32/24 saves 2.7 mil. barrels/day

– = 2x ANWR production.

Raising CAFÉ to 40mpg = Raising CAFÉ to 40mpg = NO Persian Gulf oil.NO Persian Gulf oil.

Oregon adopts California Oregon adopts California auto emissions auto emissions standards-30% reduction standards-30% reduction in CO2 emissions by in CO2 emissions by 2016.2016.

Portland Hybrid bus

Transportation Efficiency

Rail-highest Rail-highest efficiencyefficiency

Mass transitMass transit Alternative vehiclesAlternative vehicles

– Battery/Electric cars– Bio-diesel– Ethanol

Better Neighborhood Better Neighborhood planningplanning

© Roland Wooster 2006

Other Efficiencies

Since 1992 Oregon Since 1992 Oregon avoided building 3 avoided building 3 coal-burning power coal-burning power plants by plants by encouraging encouraging energy efficient energy efficient appliances & green appliances & green buildingbuilding

Stevens roofing on Rose Arena

Support Sustainable Energy

Pollution added tax Pollution added tax $2000-$5000 per $2000-$5000 per vehicle.vehicle.

Shift the $20 billion Shift the $20 billion subsidies and tax subsidies and tax write offs per year write offs per year from Oil and Gas from Oil and Gas companies to companies to sustainable energy sustainable energy industries. industries.

Support Sustainable Energy

$1,571 $1,571 cost per cost per car of car of keeping keeping Fifth Fleet Fifth Fleet in the in the Middle EastMiddle East

Solar Energy

More costly per unit of energyMore costly per unit of energy Can be on the grid or off. Can be on the grid or off. Passive or activePassive or active

www.energy.state.md.us

Wind Energy

Equivalent in price Equivalent in price to natural gas or to natural gas or coalcoal

Intermittent sourceIntermittent source Seattle 100% Seattle 100%

green electricitygreen electricity Wind could supply Wind could supply

at least 20% of US at least 20% of US electricity needselectricity needs

www.dabydeen.com

Achieving More Wind Energy

Consistent policy Consistent policy support for support for production tax production tax creditcredit

Nondiscriminatory Nondiscriminatory access to access to transmission lines transmission lines

New transmission New transmission lines lines

Geothermal

Plant in Klamath Plant in Klamath FallsFalls

Environmentally Environmentally friendlyfriendly

24 hour electricity 24 hour electricity productionproduction

Fully heats Fully heats IcelandIceland

http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk

Bad choice

Commence a phase-out of nuclear Commence a phase-out of nuclear power. power.

Sweden Oil Free by 2020

By 2003, 26% from renewables (EU By 2003, 26% from renewables (EU av. 6%)av. 6%)

Working with Saab and Volvo to Working with Saab and Volvo to provide vehicles only using ethanol provide vehicles only using ethanol and biofuelsand biofuels

Pledges no increase in nuclear.Pledges no increase in nuclear.

Sweden aims to use forests for biofuelsPhoto: Mattias Klum

Multnomah County CO2 Emissions

2 light rail lines2 light rail lines 75% growth in public 75% growth in public

transit usetransit use >10% renewable >10% renewable

energy purchase energy purchase Recycling rate of 54%Recycling rate of 54% 750,000 trees planted 750,000 trees planted

since 1996 since 1996 800 Home and 10,000 800 Home and 10,000

multifamily units multifamily units weatherizedweatherized

Energy Trust of Oregon Energy Trust of Oregon established established

What Can One Person Do?

Contact Your Elected Officials

NO!NO!– Energy legislation that

enforces fossil fuel dependence

– No new drilling off coast of Oregon

– No new nuclear plants YES!YES!

– Support new tailpipe Emission Standards

– Support clean energy target of 25% by 2020

Personal Energy Choices

1.1. Choose high efficiency vehicles and Choose high efficiency vehicles and appliancesappliances

2.2. Work with your employer Work with your employer

3.3. Turn off electrical devices Turn off electrical devices

4.4. Choose green electricity Choose green electricity

5.5. Review home and remodeling energy choicesReview home and remodeling energy choices

6.6. Leave your car at home- bike or use mass Leave your car at home- bike or use mass transittransit

7.7. Find regional resources to help, support and Find regional resources to help, support and motivate you!motivate you!

Join Together for Change

921 SW Morrison #308Portland, OR 97205

Phone: 503-274-2720 www.OregonPSR.org

Thank you!

PSR Energy Security Initiative1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1012

Washington, DC 20009www.psrenergysecurity.org

Additional Resources Physicians for Social Responsibility’s Energy Physicians for Social Responsibility’s Energy

Security Initiative (Online Resources) Security Initiative (Online Resources) http://www.psrenergysecurity.orghttp://www.psrenergysecurity.org

Energy Information Administration (Official Energy Information Administration (Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government) Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government) http://www.eia.doe.govhttp://www.eia.doe.gov

Resource Wars: The New Landscape of Global Resource Wars: The New Landscape of Global Conflict Conflict and and Blood and Oil: The Dangers and Blood and Oil: The Dangers and Consequences of America’s Growing Consequences of America’s Growing Dependency on Imported PetroleumDependency on Imported Petroleum, both by , both by Michael T. Klare.Michael T. Klare.

The End of OilThe End of Oil, Paul Roberts 2004, Paul Roberts 2004