ABC 13’s Ted Oberg reports on the new climate bill headed to the U.S. Senate, “Is the climate bill good for Texas?” In the news segment Oberg asks Matthew Tejada, exective director for GHASP/MfCA, his view on Houston’s challenges to develop and encourage new industry focused on clean energy.
Pros and Cons of the Climate Bill
July 2nd, 2009
Click 2 Houston Showcases Ozone Theater on Stage at Talento Bilingue de Houston
Health impacts from air pollution are a region-wide problem in the Houston that can affect different areas depending on the emissions and weather on any given day. Ground-level ozone damages the cells that line the air spaces in the lung. Within a few days, the damaged cells are replaced and the old cells are shed, much in the way that skin peels after sunburn. If this kind of damage occurs repeatedly, the lung may change permanently in a way that could cause long-term health effects and a lower quality of life.
Active children are the group at highest risk from ozone exposure, often spending a large part of their summer outdoors engaged in vigorous activities. Children are also more likely to have asthma, (the most commonly diagnosed chronic disease for children in the United States) or other respiratory illnesses, and asthma can be aggravated by ozone exposure.
July 2nd, 2009
Register Now for New Workshop - Airing it Out: Conversations About Our Community
GHASP is seeking community residents who would be interested in participating in a new ethnodramatic work centered on the words and stories of Houston area neighborhoods. An ethnodrama is a written script which consists of significant selections of narrative collected through interviews, diaries, news articles, etc. Ethnotheater is the live performance of the ethnodrama. “Airing it Out” will become a devised ethnodrama telling the stories of our communities.
Join us for an interactive session of informal discussion and activities focused on topics that matter to you. The date is set for Saturday, July 25th from 11am to 2pm at 2311 Canal St. Houston 77003. There is no fee for the workshop, and refreshments will be available. To sign up, simply complete the following registration form.
June 24th, 2009
Tell us your story
Many medical studies have linked various health problems to air pollution. Some individuals who live in close proximity to chemical refineries and plants or major traffic corridors are at greater risk of developing cancer and other long-term health effects because of exposure to air toxics such as benzene. Similar cancer risks are associated with exposure to particulate matter from diesel engines and industrial smokestacks. And in an area such as Houston, we are all at risk for increased asthma sensitivity and other breathing complications brought on by inhaling ground-level ozone.
Regardless of who you are or where you live, you likely have had an unfortunate experience with the Houston region’s poor air quality. Click here and tell us your story. You are the best advocate for clean air, and your story can send a powerful message to the lawmakers and industry leaders who have it in their power to clean our air. We hope to take the clean air message along with the stories we collect to Texas lawmakers.
