436 Seventh Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15219
Last week, we learned that in its yearly "State of the Air" report the American Lung Association gave Allegheny County a failing grade for all levels of air pollution. This is only the most recent story illustrative of the public health crises our region faces.
Poor air, water, and soil quality affect the lives of everyone in our region and virtually every issue GWP members support, from health and education, to economic and workforce development. A number of local organizations are now using an approach known as ‘citizen science’ to engage communities in gathering data and finding solutions to our region’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Join us for a discussion with some of these local experts who are deeply engaged in using citizen science as part of their work. We’ll learn how citizens, environmental advocates, public health professionals and academics can collaborate most effectively to gather data, address environmental challenges and improve public health outcomes.
Our conversation will be introduced by Michael Yonas Senior Program Officer, Research and Special Initiatives at The Pittsburgh Foundation and moderated by Phil Johnson, Director of Environment & Health at The Heinz Endowments.
Other presenters include:
Raina Rippel, Director and Jill Kriesky, Associate Director, The Environmental Health Project
The Environmental Health Project (EHP) is a nonprofit public health organization that assists and supports residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond who believe their health has been, or could be, impacted by unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD, or “fracking”). EHP’s team includes medical professionals, community service professionals, and public health scientists who are available to assist individuals and communities.
Brook Lenker, Executive Director, FracTracker Alliance
FracTracker studies, maps, and communicates the risks of oil and gas development to protect our planet and support the renewable energy transformation. It is a leading resource on oil and gas issues and a trusted source of information for the concerned public.
Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Executive Director, Women for a Healthy Environment
Through educational programming, technical assistance and advocacy, Women for a Healthy Environment addresses environmental exposures that impact public health. Protecting places where children live, learn and play is at the core of WHE’s work.
Continental Breakfast will be served.