The founder of the national Green Amendments movement, Maya van Rossum, returns to discuss Held v. Montana, a lawsuit brought by 16 teenagers demanding the enforcement by state agencies of regulations that ensure their right to a clean and healthy environment. Montana is one of three states that have a Green Amendment in its state constitution. She was in the courtroom during the testimonial phase of the case. Maya recently wrote, “The Held v. State of Montana litigation is the first time the right to a safe climate is getting a full and fair hearing in the courts with a state Green Amendment as a key foundation.” She last visited with us in September 2022.
Maya also recently contributed an article on Earth911, Industry & Big Greens Stomp on Frontline Communities & Environmental Justice… Yet Again. She pointed out a questionable alliance between national environmental groups and renewable energy companies fighting the addition of a Green Amendment to the New Mexico State constitution. In addition to Montana, Pennsylvania and New York have also adopted Green Amendments. There is little or no evidence those constitutional changes have slowed the development of green energy services in those states. Despite the apparent agreement that we need a healthy environment, the clean energy industry and several prominent environmental advocacy groups, including Sierra Club Nation and Union of Concerned Scientists, have joined the Interwest Energy Alliance (IEA), a lobbying group opposing the Green Amendment in New Mexico. You can learn more about Maya and the Green Amendments movement at forthegenerations.org.
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