Tennessee

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.


Sunrise Nashville – Tennessee’s Green Amendment Leaders For The Grassroots

Representative Justin Jones as re-proposed the Tennessee Green Amendment for consideration in 2025.

The TN Green Amendment, when secured, will amend the state constitution to give highest protection to environmental rights in the state.

The amendment was first proposed in 2021 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. You can view a video of the hearing here .

Rep Jones re-proposed the amendment in 2024 and now again in 2025.

It takes time to secure a constitutional amendment – but that is one of the values …. once you secure constitutional protection for your environmental rights you are unlikely to ever lose them.

The proposed language read:

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.

To join the Green Amendment movement, sign up for your free membership here so you receive our newsletter, updates and other ways to engage in Tennessee and beyond.