Spotlight Story
On Earth Day 2021, two states joined the national Green Amendment Movement: Delaware and Iowa!
Delaware State Representatives Madinah A. Wilson-Anton and Paul Baumbach proposed a Green Amendment (HB220), which would amend the Delaware Constitution to add enforceable environmental rights. Read the full press release here. The official announcement of the Green Amendment proposal was made at a Youth Earth Day Rally, held at the Charter School of Wilmington alongside students who are enthusiastically supporting the proposal. A recording of the event is available here.
On the same day, a Green Amendment was proposed in Iowa to give every Iowan a right to a clean and healthy environment. The amendment (HJR12) was introduced in the Iowa House by Representatives Chuck Isenhart, Art Staed, Timi Brown-Powers, Sharon Steckman, Bruce Hunter, Marti Anderson, and Cindy Winckler. The primary sponsor, Representative Isenhart sat down with the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club to discuss this environmental rights amendment. Watch the recording here.
In honor of the 13th state to propose a Green Amendment, we’re challenging YOU to donate $13 or any amount that is meaningful for you!
Two more states pursuing a Green Amendment means our resources are further stretched to meet the call for support. A single dollar can help us provide legal resources, educate stakeholders, host leadership trainings, and provide hands-on support.
News from Across the Green Amendment Movement
On April 28, 2021, the Maine State Legislature voted procedurally to advance the Pine Tree Amendment (LD489), Maine’s version of a Green Amendment. The amendment’s primary sponsors are Democratic Senator Chloe Maxmin and Republican Senator Richard Bennett. The procedural vote further demonstrated growing support from elected officials on both sides of the political spectrum. Having secured majority support in both the Senate and the House, the amendment will now need to secure support by a two thirds majority in each of the legislative houses, after which it will be placed on the ballot in November for Maine voters.
July 13 is national Green Amendment Day! This year’s inaugural Green Amendment Day will culminate with a presentation and panel of leading environmental justice voices from across the nation, united in ending environmental racism and restoring environmental justice through constitutional empowerment. Panelists will include: Kim Gaddy, Kerri Evelyn Harris, Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, Dr. Sacoby Wilson, Terry Sloan, and Founder of the Green Amendment movement Maya van Rossum. Please register here.
For the second year in a row and in partnership with the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, GAFTG held a free, abridged version of the Virtual Canoe Race, as a way to support educators, parents, and guardians during the pandemic. The Virtual Canoe Race is an interactive game for upper elementary and middle school students, designed to build teamwork and critical thinking skills. Over 150 young paddlers in 12 canoes paddled with us this Spring, learning about watershed geography, science, history, and literature. Register now for the full six week, low-cost Virtual Canoe Race in the Fall, starting October 4th.
In honor of Earth Month, a Pennsylvania-based artist raised over $100 for GAFTG by donating the profits of her limited edition handmade beanies. Thank you to everyone who supported environmental rights by purchasing a beanie. Check out @nekez_knits on Instagram to see some awesome knitted creations. We are grateful for the creative ways that folks in this movement share their talents, and nontraditional fundraisers such as this can be a wonderful way to support the Green Amendment. Interested in hosting a fundraiser for environmental rights? Reach out to GAFTG@forthegenerations.org
Upcoming Events
New Date: A Healthy Environment Is A Human Right
Wednesday, May 12, 7:00pm EDT
Join Clean Water Action’s 35th Annual Conference to learn about New Jersey’s movement for a constitutional Green Amendment to recognize and protect our right to a clean and healthy environment, including for future generations. Join Kim Gaddy, Maya van Rossum and Ashley Park for a discussion on the status of the NJ Green Amendment and the transformational difference environmental constitutionalism can create for balancing justice and equity in impacted communities.
The Green Amendment: Protecting PA Against Extraction & Pollution
Thursday, May 13, 6:30pm EDT
Join the Plastic Reduction Committee of Weavers Way Co-Op for a presentation on the Green Amendment from Maya van Rossum and a Q&A focused on how Pennsylvania’s Green Amendment can help battle destructive industries, plastic, and pollution.
Article 1, Section 27 50th Anniversary – Interview with Chief Justice Castille
Tuesday, May 18, 7:00pm EDT
On the 50th anniversary of Article 1, Section 27, Pennsylvania’s Green Amendment, join us for a special screening of an unreleased interview between former PA Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron Castille and Maya van Rossum, Founder of Green Amendments for the Generations and the Delaware Riverkeeper. Chief Justice Castille wrote the opinion on the Act 13 case, also known as Robinson Township, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, et. al. v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which breathed new life into Article 1, Section 27 and was the catalyst for Maya van Rossum to launch the Green Amendment movement.
Better Path Presents Maya van Rossum on the Green Amendment
Wednesday, May 19, 7:00pm EDT
Better Path Presents Maya van Rossum, Founder of Green Amendments For The Generations and the Delaware Riverkeeper.
