Today is the anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Tomorrow: check out your local Poor People’s Campaign effort. Will we apply the to do list inside Dr. King’s roadmap: Where do we go from here: Chaos or Community?
Threats to jobs and freedom today showcase ever-worsening economic income inequality. Water flows in and through us; water is necessary for survival. We must pay attention to how our sacred water is being used and abused at every level of government and in every facet of society.
As we reflect today on the advancements of rights resulting from generations before us, we must also appreciate the generations to come. We must ensure they have the rights necessary for a livable future, once and for all. During a drought in a state with constant flooding and highly toxic legacy chemicals, the NJ Governor is advancing water intensive radioactive waste and data centers, potentially powered by dirty, deadly methane gas.
Governor Sherrill, this week, signed weak bills into law that fail to regulate the encroaching AI/Data Center industry running roughshod over water, air, land and all living beings in the viscinity. The undoing of laws and regulations at every level of government are failing our watershed residents; we need constitutional level protection in the form of a NJ Green Amendment. Listen to voices united in support of a NJ Green Amendment across faith and spiritual traditions here.
In Pennsylvania, the rights to clean air, pure water, a stable climate and healthy environment are already enshrined in the state’s constitution. In Pennsylvania, and across the land, diverse coalitions comprised of seasoned local advocates and people who have never attended a city council meeting prior are going in droves to prevent the toxification of our little remaining fresh water, air and land. Humanity can come together to save ourselves and constitutional level protection helps.
The PA green amendment is helping to provide a buffer, which NJ is presently without. “Laying out the environmental rights and duties the Green Amendment prescribes can create the foundation necessary to secure protection from what is being proposed.” Checkout the related guide here.
In the past few weeks, proposals for data centers in NJ have either been murmured about, i.e. Freehold’s former Nestle Factory- or -in Holmdel’s case-planned far in advance per a 2012 contract. Alongside proposals, ordinances are being passed regularly at the municipal level to prevent data center encroachment in their area. (i.e. Neptune)
People are pushing back and winning.
If you want to learn more about connecting with your community and educating your representatives about how best to protect water and a livable future, you are not alone. We are our own best hope. Take Waterspirit’s virtual, asynchronous volunteer training! Every comment matters. Every petition signature counts. Every phone call helps. Every flyer has potential for reach. Join us!