A proposal for a Green Amendment to the state constitution will be introduced, for the third time, in the 2024 state legislative session. A Green Amendment to our state constitution would guarantee every Washington resident’s right to a clean and healthy environment. Though WA has good environmental laws in place, a Green Amendment in the state’s Bill of Rights would elevate it to the highest legal level possible, standing alongside our rights to free speech and due process.
The Washington Green Amendment movement is part of a national movement led by Maya van Rossum, an environmental attorney and activist and a Delaware Riverkeeper for the past 30 thirty years. And the movement is picking up steam.
Most notably in August, the youth-led case Held v. Montana set a groundbreaking precedent, affirming Montanans’ constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment, based on their Green Amendment. Montana enacted its Green Amendment in 1972, following Pennsylvania’s lead, which became the first state to pass a Green Amendment in 1971. It took until 2021 for the next state, New York, to adopt a Green Amendment. Currently, thirteen other states are pursuing Green Amendments, and global interest is growing in recognition of people’s right to clean air, water, and a healthy environment. This is a defining moment, shaping the path toward a more environmentally conscious and responsible world.
Activists here in Washington organizing to pass a Green Amendment have begun the critical work of coalition building. We are reaching out to scores of organizations hoping they will sign on as coalition partners and spread the word to their constituents, join actions and sign our petition, as well as reach out to their state legislators at the appropriate time.
Our work group meets twice a month and we welcome anyone interested to join. Please contact David Kipnis at dakipnis@gmail.com.