For the Generations is a project of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network that advocates for environmentalist amendments to state constitutions. ¹ States where For the Generations is active in pursuing environmentalist amendments include New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, and West Virginia. ²

The New York proposal, which passed the state legislature for the first time in 2019, would create a private right to sue to secure a “healthful environment,” though critics expressed skepticism of the proposed amendment’s vague language. ³

Background

Maya van Rossum has served as the leader of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network since 1994 and founded For the Generations. ⁴ In 2013, van Rossum won a lawsuit when the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in Robinson Township v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that sections of Act 13, which allowed more drilling access in Pennsylvania, violated the Pennsylvania Constitution’s Environmental Rights Amendment. ⁵ Following victory in court, van Rossum and Delaware Riverkeeper Network launched For the Generations to campaign for amendments to be added to state constitutions that would protect environmentalist policies. ⁶

Amendment Advocacy

New York

For the Generations worked with Environmental Advocates of New York to push for a “Green Amendment” to New York’s state constitution. A letter in support of the amendment had members of left-of-center groups including Citizen Action of New York, Earthjustice, League of Women Voters of New York State, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York State AFL-CIO, and the Sierra Club expressing support. ⁷

New York Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Queens) introduced an “environmental rights” amendment in 2017, which was eventually passed by both the New York Assembly and Senate in 2019. The amendment must pass again in the next legislative session before being placed on the ballot for New York voters. ⁸ For the Generations continues to advocate for the amendment’s passage through letter-writing campaigns. ⁹

New Jersey

In New Jersey, For the Generations has partnered with Clean Water Action and the New Jersey Sierra Club to advocate for an environmentalist amendment. ¹⁰ The proposed amendment passed the New Jersey Senate. ¹¹ Left-wing organizations that have signed onto For The Generations’ letter supporting the amendment include GreenFaith, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, New Jersey Environmental Lobby, New Jersey Citizen Action, Bus for Progress, and the Green Party of New Jersey. ¹² For the Generations encourages supporters of the state’s environmentalist amendment to write members of the legislature, sign For the Generation’s petition, advocate for local resolutions supporting the amendment, and write editorials supporting the amendment. ¹³

Other States

For The Generations is also active in pushing environmentalist amendments in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, and West Virginia. ¹⁴

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2. “States Pursuing Green Amendments.” For The Generations. Accessed August 5, 2019. https://forthegenerations.org/resources/states-pursuing-green-amendments/.
3. Morey, Adam. “This New Green ‘right’ Is Nothing but a Gift to Trial Lawyers.” New York Post. May 02, 2019. Accessed August 05, 2019. https://nypost.com/2019/05/01/this-new-green-right-is-nothing-but-a-gift-to-trial-lawyers/.
4. “The Delaware Riverkeeper.” Delaware Riverkeeper Network. Accessed August 5, 2019. https://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/delaware-riverkeeper.
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6. “The Green Amendment.” For The Generations. Accessed August 5, 2019. https://forthegenerations.org/the-green-amendment/.
7. “A Letter Calling on the NYS Legislature to Support a Green Amendment.” For The Generations. Accessed August 5, 2019. https://forthegenerations.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SD-NY-20190409-Green-Amendment-Legislature-Sign-on-Letter.pdf.
8. “New York.” For The Generations. Accessed August 5, 2019. https://forthegenerations.org/resources/states-pursuing-green-amendments/new-york/.
9. “New York.” For The Generations. Accessed August 5, 2019. https://forthegenerations.org/resources/states-pursuing-green-amendments/new-york/.
10. “New Jersey.” For The Generations. Accessed August 5, 2019. https://forthegenerations.org/resources/states-pursuing-green-amendments/new-jersey/.
11. “New Jersey.” For The Generations. Accessed August 5, 2019. https://forthegenerations.org/resources/states-pursuing-green-amendments/new-jersey/.
12. “SCR 134/ACR 85, the NJ Green Amendment.” For The Generations. Accessed August 5, 2019. https://forthegenerations.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/SD-NJ-20190513-SCR134-Support-Org-Sign-On.pdf.
13. “ACT NOW-New Jersey.” For The Generations. Accessed August 5, 2019. https://forthegenerations.org/actnow/actionnj/.
14. “States Pursuing Green Amendments.” For The Generations. Accessed August 5, 2019. https://forthegenerations.org/resources/states-pursuing-green-amendments/.