What is a Green Amendment?
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, to pure water, clean air, a stable climate, and healthy environments. The Connecticut Environmental Rights Amendment is Connecticut’s version of a Green Amendment.
Overview of the CT Green Amendment
Environmental advocates, organizations and caring community members are working together to advance a Connecticut Green Amendment.
Named the Connecticut Environmental Rights Amendment with Senator Mae Flexer as lead sponsor on the Senate side and Rep. Mary Mushinsky taking the lead on the in the CT House, the amendment the CTERA Alliance (a collaboration of supporting organizations led by CT NOFA) seeks, would read:
Article first of the Constitution is amended by adding section 21 as follows:
Sec. 21. Each person shall have an individual right to clean and healthy air, water, soil, ecosystems and environment and a safe and stable climate for the benefit of public health, safety and the general welfare. The state shall not infringe upon these rights and shall protect these rights equitably for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, tribal affiliation, gender, socioeconomic status or geography. Recognizing all of the residents of the state, including present and future generations, as the beneficiaries of a healthy environment, the state shall conserve, protect and maintain, for these beneficiaries, all of the natural resources of Connecticut, including its waters, air, flora, fauna, soils and climate. Any funds supporting protection of the state’s natural resources shall not be diverted. The rights stated in this section are equivalent to all other inalienable rights and may be directly invoked and enforced by the residents of this state.
Status:
Supported by a growing coalition of organizations and a strong partnership between CT NOFA, Green Amendments For The Generations, and community activists, Connecticut’s Green Amendment proposal (referred to as the CTERA – CT Environmental Rights Amendment) was highlighted in a joint press conference hosted by a coalition of legislators, organizations and activists. The amendment was also the subject of a robust hearing before the Government Administration and Elections Committee with community members turning out to testify in support. Shortly after the hearing, the Committee voted overwhelmingly, by a vote of 13 to 6 with no abstentions, in support.
After this amazing show of the support and strength the amendment did not progress further in 2024 but our coalition of partners have built a strong foundation of engagement for future years.
Outreach, education and organizing continue. There is still lots of opportunity to be active in this history-making effort:
- If you represent an organization and would like to sign on in support, you can do so here.
- As an individual you can join the movement by Signing Our Petition of Support Here.
