Urge Governor Hochul and Attorney General James to Enforce New York's Green Amendment
November 2021, over 70% of New Yorkers voted to amend the state constitution so it would recognize and protect the rights of all people in the state to clean air and water, and a healthful environment. This constitutional amendment, now found in Article 1, §19 of the bill of rights of the New York state constitution, requires all government officials at every level of government to protect the environmental rights of all New Yorkers. But it also creates an opportunity for every government official in the state to be more proactive in advancing legal protections and rendering decisions that best protect our state’s environment, and to secure true environmental justice across all New York communities.
But leadership always starts at the top. And it is unclear whether Governor Kathy Hochul and/or Attorney General Letitia James are going to view the New York Green Amendment as a positive opportunity to advance better environmental protection, or as a threat to their personal and political authority.
Help ensure it is the former. Urge Governor Hochul and Attorney General James to embrace Article 1, §19 and to positively use it, and enforce it, so as to ensure a clean, safe and healthy environment for all people and communities across New York State.
Use the form below to submit your letter to directly to Governor Hochul. Consider adding a personal note to the suggested text we provided – it will make your call for action more personal and impactful.
Then submit your letter directly to Attorney General Letitia James by going here. Personalize this letter we've provided to make a bigger impact.
Honorable Attorney General Letitia James
Over 70% of New Yorkers voted to secure their inalienable human right to clean water and air, and a healthful environment through passage of Article 1, §19, aka the New York Green Amendment.
The New York Greek Amendment obligates all New York government officials to protect the rights of all New Yorkers to clean water and air, and a healthful environment, and to ensure those rights are protected equitably for all communities regardless of race, ethnicity or wealth. But it also creates an opportunity …. an opportunity for good government officials to take stronger action to protect our environment and the environmental rights of present and future generations.
As Attorney General, you are New York’s leading law enforcement official, obliged to ensure all of your actions uphold and advance our state’s constitution. I am reaching out to urge you to embrace the New York Green Amendment and to proactively use it to best protect the rights of all our people to a clean, safe and healthy environment. Do not challenge its positive power for environmental protection, instead embrace it and utilize it for our greater common good.
