Spotlight Story
My name is Shaelyn Parker, and I have been a part of the Green Amendment movement for the last 1.5 years. I write this message as our Green Amendment movement looks ahead to 2026 and beyond…
As the magic and stress of the holiday season subsides, it can be challenging to face the reality of the new year. Not just because we will grapple with requiring our brains to write ‘26’ instead of ‘25’, not just because it’s time to return to work and school after a long-but-not-long-enough break, not just because we are left wondering ‘where did the time go’?
But because on a larger scale, many uncertainties about the future remain, and whether 2026 will be a year of progress or decline is a question on many people’s minds.
Not that 2025 set the bar very high, at least on a national level. Ever since this federal administration came into power, 2025 was a year full of democratic backsliding—with civil, political, and human rights being challenged and stripped away each day. People are living in fear, under the very real threats of political and physical violence, as we are seeing supposed staples of American democracy, like equality, freedom, and justice get tossed aside (or hurled even further off course than they already were).
2025 was a challenging year for the environment, as well, with over 100 environmental rules protecting our cherished air, water, lands, animals, and other natural resources already, or slated to be, rolled back. The current system of federal environmental protections feels like a wild west for corporate cowboys, full of expedited permits, weakened climate-changing emissions standards, limited environmental reviews and public comment periods, minimized pollution protections, and scrapped safety standards. Hardworking people who want safety and security for their families are seeing their livelihoods—their health, well-being, and ability to safely live and recreate in their environment—treated as dispensable bargaining chips for CEOs, billionaires, and politicians. And while our community organizations and advocacy groups are mobilizing to protect the rights we hold dear, it is clear that the power imbalance between the people and the power-abusers grows larger each day.
It’s no wonder that with all of the turmoil going on, politically, economically, and environmentally, people are wondering, ‘what kind of world are we leaving for our kids? Our grandkids? Our great-great-great grandkids? What can we do to change the narrative?’
Green Amendments are a powerful place to start.
In the midst of federal chaos, it can be easy to forget the power of states when it comes to protecting our environment. Where the federal government sets a floor for basic protections in the environmental sphere, states have the power to go further and farther and to do better. One place where states can powerfully advance protections for their people and environments is in their state constitutions.
That is why the Green Amendment movement—which seeks to secure highest constitutional recognition and protection for environmental rights, including the right to clean air, pure water, safe climate, healthy environments, and more—has inspired over half the states in the nation to pursue this most powerful safeguard for our environment and our communities. With Green Amendments in place, environmental rights will be as well-protected and enforceable as other cherished freedoms, such as the right to free speech, freedom of religion and private property rights.
With Green Amendments in place, our right to breathe clean air, drink pure water, and inhabit uncontaminated, life-sustaining environments—in essence our right to live safely and healthfully—would be given its rightful seat at the head of the decision-making table. Governments would be empowered to recognize and protect these rights in every permitting decision, legislative action, regulatory measure, and project approval. Decisions would take into account short- and long-term environmental impacts, the best available science, cumulative impacts, pre-existing conditions, and the weight of environmental impacts on our most vulnerable populations and future generations to come.
For over a decade, the Green Amendments For The Generations movement and organization, led by Maya K. van Rossum, has been educating legislators, communities and environmental leaders about the power and importance of proper constitutional recognition for environmental rights. The organization’s efforts are receiving widespread recognition and engagement. When the movement was founded, only 2 states—Pennsylvania and Montana—had constitutional language that met the Green Amendment definition. Today, just over 10 years later, a Green Amendment has been secured in New York state and proposals have been put forth, or are on the cusp of introduction, in dozens more, including: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The work of the Green Amendment movement gives me a reason to look forward to this new year—and every year thereafter—with the hope and joy of knowing that by working together, we can all raise the bar on environmental rights across our nation, for all communities, all people, and all generations.
I hope you will join me in making 2026 the year of true transformational change. Let’s make 2026 the year of the people taking back our power, starting with Green Amendments. Let’s create the future that we want to pass off to future generations.
Join the movement and see how to get involved in your state at www.GreenAmendment.org.
And if you’re able, please consider donating to our movement at givebutter.com/LeavingLegacy.
Every dollar raised, member gained, and action taken adds up–getting us closer to a lasting legacy of environmental protection FOR ALL.
I can’t wait to see what 2026 holds for the Green Amendment movement. And I can’t wait to experience it with you all: the passionate, strong, resilient coalition that is the heart of this movement. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can make 2026 our year.
With gratitude and hope,
Shaelyn Parker
Advocate & Educator,
Green Amendments For The Generations
UPCOMING EVENTS
People’s Action Guide Launch
Tuesday, January 27
For states with a Green Amendment: 6-6:30PM ET
For states pursuing Green Amendment protections: 6:30-7PM ET
Join us as we introduce these new advocacy guides—one for states with Green Amendments and one for states working to secure them—that were crafted especially for passionate people like you. We break down Green Amendments at every step of the way, from the concept of constitutional environmental rights, to the victories that have affirmed their legal strength, to education and outreach tips to build your own Green Amendment coalition.
The Earth Love Concert – CALL FOR ARTISTS!
Spring 2026
WE ARE LOOKING FOR PERFORMING ARTISTS for a very special opportunity to uplift Green Amendments!
Thanks to the efforts of some amazing Green Amendment advocates, we are hosting our first ever Earth Love Concert at the CUNY School of Law in New York! We are looking for performance artists to be a part of our concert lineup for Spring 2026—could that artist be YOU?
Check out the submission form here for more details on dates, logistics, and what we’re looking for. And if you’re someone hoping to attend the concert, stay tuned for final dates and times coming soon! All proceeds raised from ticket sales will benefit the national Green Amendment movement.
