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.
What’s Happening in Michigan
The Green Amendment Movement is building in Michigan.
April 25, 2024, Representative Rachel Hood announced proposal of a Michigan Green Amendment for consideration. As proposed the amendment reads:
Article 1 of the Michigan Constitution shall be amended to add:
Every person has an inherent and inalienable right to a clean and healthy environment, including clean water, air, and soils; balanced ecosystems; a stable climate; and to the preservation of the natural, cultural, recreational, and healthful qualities of the environment. This state, including each branch, agency, and political subdivision, shall take no action that would infringe upon these rights and shall protect these rights equitably for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomics, or geography.
This State’s natural resources, including but not limited to, surface water, groundwater, wetlands, ecosystems, air, native flora and fauna, soils, and climate, are the common property of all the people, including both present and future generations. This state, including each branch, agency, and political subdivision, shall serve as trustee of these resources, and shall conserve, protect, and maintain these resources for the benefit of all the people.
The inalienable rights and trustee responsibilities recognized in this section may be directly invoked and enforced by the people of this state.
HJR S 2024 – the Michigan Green Amendment — can be tracked here.
Catch up on what a Green Amendment is and what it means for Michigan by watching a recording of our first Michigan Meeting.
Read about the process to amend the Michigan State Constitution here.