What do bell bottoms, the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and disco have in common? They all happened in the 1970s – the same timeframe that environmental rights amendments were added to the constitutions of six U.S. states: Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. In the last few years, at least nine other states have drafted or have been drafting legislation to incorporate “Green Amendments” into their constitutions.

In general, Green Amendments “recognize and protect the rights of all people, including future generations, to pure water, clean air, a stable climate, and a healthy environment” (source). In 2021, the State of New York was successful in amending its Bill of Rights to enforce an individual’s inalienable right to a healthy environment like freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Whether these efforts are a movement (as some claim) remains to be seen.

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