Hot and Bothered July 26, 2024

Hello! I’m Paige Knappenberger, the new Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility’s Environment and Health Program. Rather than detailing my professional journey, I want to share what’s been weighing on my mind lately.

Last week in DC, temperatures hit 104°F. As a mom to a toddler expecting another son in the Fall, the heat worries me deeply. I’m especially mindful of heat’s risks for pregnant women and their babies. I’m grateful for the comforts I can afford, knowing many, especially Black and low-income pregnant individuals, lack such protections, facing heightened risks like preterm birth and stillbirth due to heat. Despite these challenges, I remain hopeful, especially because of our work here at PSR.

Due to PSR’s 501c3 status, I can’t tell you how to vote, discuss the election, but I urge you to get involved: join PSR’s Civic Health Team, volunteer and above all, vote! Instead, I’ll share my concerns about this scorching summer. Last week in DC, temperatures hit 104°F. As a mom to a toddler expecting another son in the Fall, the heat worries me deeply. When I pick up my 2-year-old son, Walter, from daycare, I see his flushed face and fret over heat stress now, not to mention how heat will shape his life going forward. I worry even more about the kids who can’t escape the heat because they don’t have air-conditioned cars, schools, or homes. Those kids whose lives are impacted by extended heat exposure can suffer from its effects on child development and education.

This summer, as a pregnant woman, I’ve stayed indoors with AC, mindful of heat’s risks for pregnant women and their babies. I’m grateful for the comforts I can afford, knowing many, especially Black and low-income pregnant individuals, lack such protections and face heightened risks like preterm birth and stillbirth due to heat.

Despite these challenges, I remain hopeful, especially because of PSR’s impactful initiatives. We’re advocating for FEMA to recognize extreme heat and wildfire smoke as major disasters, akin to floods and tornadoes. I’m in awe of the work PSR Los Angeles and partners have done to prevent Big Oil from undoing SB 1137, a critical public health law that ends new gas and oil drilling within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, playgrounds and hospitals. And I’m relieved that PSR Washington is out defending the state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA), which provides support for urban forestry projects to protect health from extreme heat, among other life-saving provisions. As Director of PSR’s Environment and Health Program, I’m privileged to contribute to national efforts for a healthier, fairer future for my sons, and for everyone else on this planet.