"We have a chance to build the framework for reducing emissions and global warming across the board in California with the people's and industry's support of relevant legislation and an integrated approach that can change the destructive course we are on and lead the nation. I am grateful that the women of California and Well Network are supporting these efforts above all, while consistently advocating for the environmental health of our children and communities."                
                                                                     California Assemblymember Fran Pavley

WELL Network hosted presentations on the science, politics, and opportunities for improving women's and children's health.

The need to create a central database on the effects of environmental degradation on public health was the topic of a presentation by Dr. Sandra Hernandez, CEO of the San Francisco Foundation, and Dr. Tom McDonald, toxicologist for CalEPA.

WELL Network and UC Press co-hosted author John Hart, speaking on the health of San Francisco Bay, the environment, and community health.

WELL Network's executive committee met with legislative staff to Assembly members Fran Pavley and Fabian Nunez and Senator John Burton to discuss the link between pollution and public health. WELL Network also met with legislative staff and members of the state Commission on Environmental Quality about green planning and how to prevent rollbacks of environmental legislation.

WELL Network staff attended a conference, “Framing a Future Chemicals Policy," at the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at University of Massachusetts. WELL representatives also attended the Green Chemistry Retreat, hosted by the Health and Environment Funders Network Initiative, at Commonweal in Bolinas, California.

Environmental Working Group invited WELL Network co-founder Annette Gellert, WELL member Ann Hunter Welborn, and their daughters to speak at a legislative hearing in Sacramento on behalf of a biomonitoring bill. Biomonitoring, a method of determining the type and level of toxics that are accumulating in our bodies, is a critical first step toward establishing an effective, comprehensive California chemical policy. Governor Schwarzenegger later signed the bill into law.

With the Environmental Finance Center, Region 9, WELL Network co-hosted the California Chemicals Policy symposium attended by more than 120 nonprofit, government, labor, academic, and business leaders. The meeting came two days after the release of a government-funded report from UC Berkeley on safer chemicals, green chemistry, and California competitiveness.To download the report, click here.

With the UC Berkeley Research Institute on Economics, WELL co-hosted a briefing with Robert Donkers, then-environmental counselor for the Delegation to the European Commission to the U.S. on the EU's REACH program (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals), a comprehensive, precautionary approach to chemicals policies. Mr. Donkers is the principal author of REACH.

Partnering with Earth Island Institute and the Center for Investigative Reporting, WELL Network co-hosted Dr. Riki Ott, author of the book Sound Truth and Corporate Myth$:The Legacy of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. The spill and cleanup led to greater scientific understanding of oil as a hazardous substance. Dr . Ott's book calls for clean alternatives to fossil fuels, including those used in plastics.

WELL Network published our first report, “Taking it to the States: A Call for Action on Chemicals Policy, a Green Plan Approach.” The report focuses on California and New York's potential leadership in safer chemical policies. To download the report, click here.