Carolyn Raffensperger Explained

Occupation:	author, lawyer, environmentalist
Language:	English
Nationality:	American
Alma Mater:	Wheaton College Northwestern University
Spouse:	Fred Kirschenmann

Carolyn E. Raffensperger is an environmental lawyer and the executive director of the Science & Environmental Health Network, as well as being a leading expert on the Precautionary Principle. She has authored a number of papers and publications, as well as being featured in a number of notable magazines.^[1] Raffensperger was also a state field representative for the Sierra Club.^[2]

Early life

Raffensperger was raised in Chicago and is the daughter of John G. Raffensperger, a paediatric surgeon.^[3] After gaining an interest in archaeology while at college, she went on to study a bachelor's degree at Wheaton College, before then completing her master's degree at Northwestern University. She then worked in Dolores, Colorado, studying artifacts from the Anasazi people.^[4] She went on to work for the Sierra Club.

Career

Raffensperger joined the Science & Environmental Health Network (SEHN) in 1994 and became its executive director.^{[5] [6]} Raffensperger has written on the Precautionary Principle.^{[7] [8] [9]} She has spoken in public on the issue and has appeared on TEDx^[10] and EnviroVideo with Karl Grossman.^[11] In 1998, Raffensperger convened and attended the Wingspread Conference on the Precautionary Principle.^[12] The first use of the phrase "ecological medicine" is attributed to Raffensperger, in an article entitled "Our Planet, Our Selves" on the UTNE website.^[13] Ecological medicine refers to the way in which people and the environment interact, and how an individual's acts towards the environment can have a negative effect on health.^[14]

Publications

• Raffensperger, Jackson, Tickner (1999). Protecting Public Health and the Environment: Implementing The Precautionary Principle, Island Press, 391 pages.
• Raffensperger, Tickner, Myers (1999). The Precautionary Principle in Action: A Handbook.
• Raffensperger, Myers (2005). Precautionary Tools for Reshaping Environmental Policy. MIT Press, 400 pages.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Environmental Lawyer Carolyn Raffensperger Advocates for the Commons . University of Northern Iowa . 2012-11-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203314/http://www.uni.edu/commstudies/environmental-lawyer-carolyn-raffensperger-advocates-commons . 2013-10-29 . dead .
2. Web site: Sierra Club Questions Need For 3rd Airport . Chicago Tribune . 2012-11-21.
3. Book: 978-0786468256. Children's Surgery: A Worldwide History . John g. Raffensperger . M. D. . 23 February 2012 .
4. Web site: Our Planet, Our Selves . Utne . 2012-11-23.
5. Web site: Carolyn Raffensperger and Ted Schettler . Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy . 2012-11-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714171540/http://www.iatp.org/files/Raffensperger_and_Schettler_Bios.pdf . 2014-07-14 . dead .
6. Web site: Our Planet, Our Selves . Utne . 2012-11-23.
7. Book: Protecting Public Health and the Environment: Implementing The Precautionary Principle . 9781559636889 . 2012-11-24. Raffensperger . Carolyn . Tickner . Joel A. . Tickner . Joel . June 1999 .
8. Web site: The Precautionary Principle in Action: A Handbook . California Environmental Protection Agency . 2012-11-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130308022158/http://www.calepa.ca.gov/EnvJustice/Documents/2003/Appendices/AppendixI.pdf . 2013-03-08 . dead .
9. Book: Precautionary Tools For Reshaping Environmental Policy . Urban and Industrial Environments . 7 October 2005 . The MIT Press . 9780262134583 . 2012-11-24.
10. Web site: Carolyn Raffensperger . TED . 2012-11-24.
11. Web site: Enviro Close-Up Video Trailers . envirovideo.com . 2012-11-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120831050313/http://www.envirovideo.com/video/ECU584trailer.html . 2012-08-31 . dead .
12. Web site: Wingspread Statement on the Precautionary Principle . The Global Development Research Center. 2012-11-26.
13. Web site: Our Planet, Our Selves . UTNE . 2012-11-24.
14. Web site: What is Ecological Medicine? . British Society for Ecological Medicine . 2012-11-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121018044219/http://www.ecomed.org.uk/about-the-society/ecological-medicine . 2012-10-18 . dead .