A green amendment was proposed to be added to the Rhode Island Constitution under Article I protecting the right to clean air, soil, climate and the environment’s natural values for citizens of Rhode Island, on Feb. 21.
The Peace Dale Congregational Church’s Green Team has been working with Sen. Susan Sosnowski, who represents South Kingstown’s district, to get this amendment passed, according to George Faucher, co-chair of the Green Team.
“We’re all concerned about the current administration and the actions that are being taken to eliminate the environmental protections,” Faucher said.
The Green Amendment seeks to place more control in the hands of individuals and place the importance of environmental protection on par with freedom of speech and religion, according to Don Hermes, co-chair of the Green Team and former professor of geosciences at the University of Rhode Island.
The Green Team got engaged in this project after Hermes conducted research into the people of Montana’s effort to pass a Green Amendment, according to Faucher.
Montana’s pursuit to get the Green Amendment passed caught his eye. 15 young people aged 18 to into their 20s worked together to sue the state because they felt the state was not protecting the environment, according to Hermes. This failure to protect the environment, they argued, prevented them from being able to live happy, healthy, comfortable lives.
“We dove a little deeper into it and we recognized the value in this pursuit within Rhode Island,” Faucher said.
The Green Team first introduced the amendment to Sosnowski in July of 2024 to get her to back the initiative.
“She fully endorsed the effort and supported the effort and agreed that she would champion this,” Faucher said.
The Green Team also worked with the national organization, Green Amendment For The Generations, according to Faucher. This organization has helped Montana, New York and Pennsylvania introduce green amendments. These are the only states that currently have one. Other states trying to pass green amendments are Washington, New Mexico, New Jersey, Michigan, Maryland, Maine, Hawaii, Delaware, Connecticut and Arizona.
“I have always had a passion for maintaining the healthy nature of our Earth,” Hermes said. “And so one of the things, after I retired, I was concerned about involving youth, young people, in the movement.”
One of these young people is third-year marine affairs and environmental natural resource economics major Shannon McGrath. McGrath joined the Green Team with hopes of connecting it to the organization Climate Action Rhode Island where she interns.
“It feels very inspiring to know this bill exists and worthwhile to put energy into that the bill has potential to pass,” McGrath said. “I am so honored to be in a community such as the Green Team and CARI.”
The Green Team’s efforts have gained a lot of interest and participation from the community, according to Faucher.
“It’s very encouraging to see how many people are very much concerned about the environment, concerned about the climate, and, as Don points out, the impact on those that are most impacted,” Faucher said. “It’s very encouraging to see those that are really behind this and wanting to push this forward, even as a small Green Team within a church.”
This amendment is important to Rhode Island because it will ensure that the government considers environmental impacts early in decision-making processes to prevent environmental degradation, according to Faucher.
“It’s very important for us to provide that clarity, that environmental rights are protected as firmly as other civil and other human rights currently reflected in the constitution,” Faucher said.
The proposal for Rhode Island’s Green Amendment is still waiting for approval.
“While the hearing for this amendment is not yet scheduled, once it is, we will need everyone who cares about this issue to show up and testify,” McGrath said. “You can follow the bill’s journey at RIlegislature.gov under bill number 0327.”
To learn more about the Green Amendment, members of the Green Team will be participating in URI’s Earth Day event on April 22.
