Green Amendments are self executing provisions added to the bill of rights section of a constitution that recognize and protect the rights of all people, including future generations, regardless of race, ethnicity, tribal membership status, socioeconomics or geography, to pure water, clean air, a stable climate, and healthy environments.
A Green Amendment proposal that will amend the state constitution to give highest protection to environmental rights has been proposed by Tennessee Representative Justin Jones with Sunrise Nashville leading the effort for the grassroots. While the amendment did not proceed to a successful committee vote before the legislature, it got its first hearing so environmental activists could join with Representative Jones to begin to make the case.
The proposed language reads:
WHEREAS, current and future generations have the right to enjoy the continued health of the environment and natural resources of this State; and
WHEREAS, protecting the quality and health of Tennessee’s environment is critical to the long-term prosperity of its citizens; now, therefore,
WHEREAS, protecting the quality and health of Tennessee’s environment is critical to the long-term prosperity of its citizens; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that a majority of all the members of each house concurring, as shown by the yeas and nays entered on their journals, that it is proposed that Article I of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new section:
The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic, and esthetic values of the environment. Tennessee’s public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the State shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.
If your organization would like to sign on in support of the Tennessee Green Amendment in order to lift up environmental rights in our state so they are given highest constitutional protection, be listed on the website as a supporter, and start to learn more and engage by signing up here.
If you are an individual or an organization interested in being a part of the effort to advance the Tennessee Green Amendment, or have any questions, please get in touch with us at this link and let us know, we’ll start to loop you in or answer your questions.
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