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 beginning to build in Michigan. Leaders are starting to gather and strategize.
If you want to take action to advance a Green Amendment in Michigan, go here.
While there is no official proposal as of yet, the language leading advocates are hoping
the Proposed Michigan Green 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. The 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.
Michigan’s natural resources, including but not limited to, its waters, air, native flora and fauna, soils, and climate, are the common property of all the people, including both present and future generations. The 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.
Article IV Section 52 shall be interpreted and applied consistent with the rights and responsibilities recognized herein, and shall not impede the full exercise or enforcement of the inalienable rights hereby reserved to all the people.
Catch up on what a Green Amendment is by watching a recording of our first Michigan Meeting.
Read about the process to amend the Michigan State Constitution here.
