We joyfully celebrated the arrival of Spring with music, dancing, poetry and laughter. Thank you to all who participated both in-person and online. And a great big THANK YOU to our musical guest Michele Mountain who performed a musical piece written for Waterspirit’s Equinox Celebration by her talented daughter Jen Mountain.
Hello friends. We are experiencing technical difficulties. To participate in Meditation for Earth online today at 7PM ET, please visit our Facebook Channel.
CLICK HERE to read this week’s mailer, featuring:
an invitation to tonight’s spring equinox ceremony, online and in-person;
an opportunity to connect with your neighbors in Monmouth County;
a chance to practice mindfulness in nature;
and more!
Interconnectedness is the way of water. It flows knowing no bounds, both powerfully creating and destroying life in its path. We know the limited water supply is being affected dangerously by climate crisis. All decisions now must be informed by reducing precious, sacred fresh water consumption; the waters are running dry. Colorado, Lake Mead, Medina River, Amazon River, Catalonia, River Derwent, and so on.
Waterspirit has been working on prevention and accountability with respect to water rights, water contamination, and false energy solutions. Democracy, like water, is fluid. We prove time and again through people powered action, we make a difference when we show up. Thank you all for showing up for the NJ Green Amendment, the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, the Clean Energy Standard and the Open Public Records Act in a myriad of ways. When we coalesce, we direct energy with a greater goal in mind, one that is interconnected, filled with unity and hope.
The New Jersey Green Amendment (SCR43), a critical legislative initiative aimed at safeguarding environmental rights and promoting sustainability, has gained momentum in the state. This week, it was voted upon, favorably, after being heard by NJ’s Senate Environment and Energy committee last week. The bill was almost heard alongside the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act (S198) but was pushed ahead a week, after (S198) also saw advancement. This amendment seeks to enshrine the protection of natural resources and ecological balance in the state constitution, reflecting a commitment to honoring the interconnectedness of all life forms and the sacredness of the environment. In parallel, the movement towards fossil fuel divestment has gained traction, signaling a shift towards cleaner and more sustainable and equitable energy practices.
By divesting from fossil fuels and investing in renewable energy sources, New Jersey is taking a proactive stance in mitigating climate change, protecting the planet, and aligning with eco-spiritual principles that emphasize stewardship of the Earth and respect for all living beings. The Clean Energy Standard was also up for a vote this week and ultimately including proposed amendments by the most affected residents. That said, as per usual, there is a need for assurance that violations to these laws will hold concurrent consequences. Those overburdened already must be given utmost communication as these laws move through the legislature. Did you know in New Jersey, the percentage of poor and low-income households that goes towards energy costs is 5 times greater than what is spent by an average household income, and the cost of water is 3 times as greater than what an average household spends? (NJPPC Fact Sheet)
In the middle of these movements throughout the legislature for bills Waterspirit has been educating and organizing people around, a major threat befell Trenton and the entire state; a potential gutting of the Open Public Records Act. Ultimately the bill was pulled but from the Assembly Appropriations committee this week but only after a widespread opposition kept the Budget committee hearing testimony from 10AM through 6:30PM. Efforts to prevent the gutting of the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) in New Jersey have boldly underscored the importance of transparency, accountability, and public participation in environmental decision-making processes. Upholding the principles of open governance and access to information is essential for ensuring environmental justice, empowering communities to advocate for their rights, and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship rooted in eco-spiritual values of interconnectedness and respect for the natural world. You and your voice matter.
Without the Open Public Records Act, how else might we obtain records to understand and rectify environmental injustice in the state? The process to obtain records would benefit from relevant updates but the reasoning was flawed and transparently a power grab away from people. One has to wonder; why would such a bill be proposed in the first place?
Waterspirit has long advocated for sound energy consumption considering those most overburdened by decisions that have resulted-for so long- in pollution and contamination of water, air and life. We are educating and advocating for sound energy consumption investments, processes and procedures. Through support of proactive legal grounding, accountability and preservations of transparent civic engagement, we are advancing a holistic vision of sustainability, justice and harmony with the natural world.
Thank you for being connected with Waterspirit and consider volunteering with us on these campaigns and/or our program offerings! Check out our calendar here.
NJ Senate Environment & Energy Committee Votes in Support of the New Jersey Green Amendment Protecting Environmental Rights
After 6 years since first being proposed, the New Jersey Green Amendment received a vote in the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
In a packed room of observers, the amendment passed by a vote of 3 yes, 1 no and 1 abstention.
It is unclear what will be the next committee stop for the amendment, but this was an important first step. Thank you to all those who have supported the NJ Green Amendment the last few years. Please see the latest press release below:
NJ Senate Environment & Energy Committee Votes in Support of
the New Jersey Green Amendment Protecting Environmental Rights
Trenton, NJ: After 6 years since first being proposed, the New Jersey Green Amendment received a vote in the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. In a packed room of observers, the amendment passed by a vote of 3 yes, 1 no and 1 abstention. It is unclear what will be the next committee stop for the amendment, but this was an important first step.
The NJ Green Amendment was first proposed in December 2017. While the amendment was the subject of a hearing before the Senate Environment and Energy Committee on October 15, 2018, and passed out of committee at that time by a bi-partisan super-majority vote, the amendment has been allowed to languish unconsidered ever since. Given the positive words from Committee Chair Senator Smith, telling supporters they needed to be proactive in advocating for the amendment, it is expected that this year the amendment will continue forward procedurally.
The NJ Green Amendment was re-proposed for 2024 legislative consideration by Senator Linda Greenstein and Senator Andrew Zwicker. The proposed amendment would add constitutional environmental rights to the State constitution’s bill of rights.
“We in Newark know the environment and public health is not a partisan issue. It is neither conservative nor liberal, but it's certainly right, to limit government's infringement on people's rights, including the right to breathe clean air and drink clean water, and that's what this constitutional amendment does, let's get it done!” Kim Gaddy, Executive Director, South Ward Environmental Alliance.
According to Maya K. van Rossum, the founder and leader of the national Green Amendment For The Generations movement, who also serves as the Delaware Riverkeeper and leader of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, an advocacy and litigation organization active in New Jersey, “the people of New Jersey have been eager to see the NJ Green Amendment advance. This amendment could also put New Jersey at the forefront of the climate movement. If the amendment receives the 3/5 vote needed from each legislative house, New Jersey would not only be on track to be the 4th state nationwide to secure Green Amendment protections, but it could be the 1st state in the nation to explicitly require their government to ensure protections for the climate; that would be a powerful inspiration for other communities and states pursuing their own Green Amendment protections.”
“As an Environmental Justice Leader, I both reside in an overburdened community and advocate on behalf of EJ communities throughout the state and nation. Each community, while unique, are all at a disadvantage when it comes to the right to clean water and clean air. I agree with Assemblyman McKeon of Essex County - that New Jersey has done well by advancing the strongest environmental justice bill nationwide and putting forth some of the strongest PFAS protections in the nation. Nevertheless, New Jersey residents residing in overburdened communities, are still facing deadly environmental hazards; as well as equity issues throughout our state. Now is the time for New Jersey’s Legislature to raise the bar higher, and protect the rights of present and future generations,” said Terrance L. Bankston, a member of the New Jersey Environmental Justice Advisory Council (EJAC) and the Senior Ports and Freight Campaigner for Friends of the Earth (FoE)
“New Jersey has a real opportunity to become a national leader by adding a Green Amendment to its state constitution. Two of New Jersey’s neighbors– New York and Pennsylvania – already have Green Amendments; and downstream Delaware is considering passage of its own Green Amendment. New Jersey could become a keystone leader in this movement by recognizing and protecting the inalienable rights to clean air, pure water, healthy environments, and a stable climate and giving them the constitutional backing they should have always had,” says Anneke van Rossum, Advocacy and Policy Coordinator at the Delaware Riverkeeper Network.
Erica Beverett, Outreach & Community Engagement Coordinator for 'Parents Engaging Parents, Inc.' (PEPNJ), a statewide parent advocacy group & for 'Social Responsibility Through Me' of Camden, NJ explains, "New Jersey water is tainted with toxins like PFAS that is now running through our bodies. It is causing countless health issues for myself and my children. Thyroid issues, diabetes, and cancer are plaguing our families. Skin disorders, hyper-sensitive bodies, and allergic reactions that come from our environment are killing us. From the water we bathe in and the air we breathe to the snowball effect of economic hardship for countless families. Polluters are killing us. To contextualize these facts with numbers, we have spent 5 Billion dollars on treatment which burdens our communities and our families. We have 9.6 Million children suffering from eczema being raised in overburdened communities. 50% of our children will develop asthma from the onset of eczema. The lack of regard for clean air and water for all is killing us! Let's catch up to New York and adopt the New Jersey Green Amendment into our state's constitution."
“In Montana, we’ve already seen young people used a Green Amendment to defend our collective futures. Growing up under the shadow of climate change, I can’t begin to explain the kind of hope that brings us students. But as my dad likes to remind me, as his child, I’m not responsible for his health. The climate crisis is already hurting people today, other kinds of pollution hurt people today, and those of us you refer to as “future generations” can’t solve that. These abstract concepts of a “stable climate”, “pure air” and “clean water” have real meaning to real people’s abilities to live and work in New Jersey, and it’s the responsibility of those with power to take action now, and give voters the opportunity to choose a Green Amendment: a tool to protect the rights they deserve,” said Svanfridur Mura, High School Co-Chair of the NJ Student Sustainability Coalition.
“Let us remember that our duty to protect and preserve the waters of life is not just a legal or policy imperative, but a spiritual obligation that connects us to the very essence of existence. In recognizing the inherent rights of all beings to clean water, fresh air, and a healthy environment, we affirm our interconnectedness with the web of life and acknowledge our responsibility to protect and uphold these rights for present and future generations. May our discussion and actions today in the state of New Jersey reflect our commitment to be stewards of the Earth, guardians of the waters, and champions of equity and justice for all beings,” said Rachel Dawn Davis, Public Policy & Justice Organizer for Waterspirit.
According to the Green Amendments For The Generations organization, there are active efforts to secure constitutional Green Amendments spanning the nation. Active Green Amendment proposals currently exist in 15 states, with proposals in more expected soon. Green Amendments already passed in Pennsylvania, Montana, and most recently New York, are demonstrating the powerful protection constitutional environmental rights of this kind can provide, with the Held v. Montana legal victory being the most recent, but certainly not the only one.
“Constitutional Green Amendments are a special type of constitutional environmental rights amendment. By placing environmental rights in a state constitution’s Bill of Rights, using carefully crafted language that creates an enforceable right of the people that is self-executing and generational, Green Amendments ensure the highest constitutional protection for the environment, placing environmental rights on par with other fundamental freedoms such as speech and religion,” explains van Rossum.
Additional information on active states and the national Green Amendment movement can be found at www.ForTheGenerations.org
The proposed New Jersey Green Amendment passed by today’s Committee vote reads as follows:
Amend Article I of the New Jersey State Constitution by adding a new paragraph 24 to read as follows:
(a) Every person has a right to a clean and healthy environment, including pure water, clean air, a safe climate, and ecologically healthy habitats, and to the preservation of the natural and scenic qualities of the environment. The State shall not infringe upon these rights.
(b) The State’s natural resources, among them its waters, air, flora, fauna, climate, and public lands, are the common property of all the people, including both present and future generations. The State shall serve as trustee of these resources, and shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all people.
(c) This paragraph and the rights stated herein are (1) self-executing, and (2) shall be in addition to any rights conferred by the public trust doctrine or common law. Nothing in this paragraph shall abrogate the applicable Rules of Court that prohibit the filing of frivolous claims.
Join our campaign and help us secure these rights for the generations!
CLICK HERE to read this week’s mailer, featuring:
our spring equinox celebration on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m.,
mindfulness in nature walks,
beach cleanups,
foraging workshops,
legislative updates,
and more!
Yesterday, one after another, NJ Green Amendment advocates and experts laid out reasons to the NJ Senate Environment and Energy Committee, why the people of New Jersey deserve a constitutionally protected right to a clean and healthy environment. Miss it? You can listen to it here.
“After 6 years of no legislative advancement – the New Jersey Green Amendment received a hearing today - March 7, 2024 - before the Senate Environment & Energy Committee. In a packed room, committee members heard overwhelming support for the proposal to amend the state’s constitution to include a right of the people to “a clean and healthy environment, including pure water, clean air, and ecologically healthy habitats” and creating an obligation on all government officials in the state to protect New Jersey’s natural resources for present and future generations. While the amendment was up for committee discussion and public testimony, it was not the subject of a vote by the committee – though advocates present at the hearing remain hopeful that a vote, which they expect will advance the bill, is imminent.”
Read the full press release HERE!
Stay tuned and get involved with the educational effort to pass a NJ Green Amendment.
Volunteer with Waterspirit today!
Waterspirit is proud to be an organizational member of the Alliance for NJ Environmental Education (ANJEE).
Our own staff has participated in ANJEE conferences where environmental educators come together to share ideas and even lesson plans to support one another. ANJEE members consider ourselves to be partners, working together to create, through education, an awareness, understanding and a concern for the quality of the environment and a conviction that human well-being is dependent upon a healthy environment.
Last weekend, leaders of ANJEE (all volunteers) gathered at NJ School of Conservation in Stokes State Forest to review the most recent conferences and plan for the future. (See the amazing photos and videos below.) Are you interested in attending an ANJEE conference? Both the Autumn Outdoor conference (held in Sept) and the Winter Conference (Jan) are great ways for teachers, naturalists, environmental educators and students to deepen their connection to nature and develop a greater understanding of the most current environmental education standards. Visit the ANJEE website to learn more. www.anjee.org
For an added treat, after heavy rains on Saturday, we enjoyed a stream filled, sunny Sunday. We watched the runoff coming off the hills and saw newts in the vernal pools. Take one minute to enjoy the video of the running water below. Turn on your speakers and listen to the amazing sound. Water is life.
Continuing a busy few weeks at Waterspirit, this Monday was no different. S198 the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act was up for a vote and narrowly passed through the Senate Environment & Energy Committee.
RELATED PRESS: Citing climate crisis, lawmakers move to ban new fossil-fuel power plants Committee also pushes to end investments in fossil-fuel sector by state’s public-worker pension program by TOM JOHNSON, ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT WRITER, March 5, 2024.
To learn more and get involved in the DivestNJ campaign, visit our advocacy pages and check out Waterspirit’s related 1 page brief.
In Trenton on Monday, there were also meetings held with key leaders to introduce the New Jersey Poor People’s Campaign’s demands. The next steps include organizing: music, education, outreach and another trip to D.C. in June.
Up tomorrow on 3/7 is a hearing before the Senate Environment and Energy Committee of the NJ Green Amendment (SCR43) at 1PM, Committee Room 6, first floor. Check out Waterspirit’s related advocacy page and brief for the NJ Green Amendment here.
3/11 is another day of action in Trenton as we ensure any Clean Energy Standard for New Jersey is as strong as possible. This effort is being led by the Ironbound Community Corporation and overburdened residents whose communities continue to be sacrificed. May you make 2 calls to urge these legislators to lead on climate and support amendments to the Clean Energy Standard that protect clean water, air, environmental justice communities, and in-state jobs?
Assembly Speaker Coughlin’s office: 1-866-877-5944
Senate President Scutari’s office: 1-866-961-3208
There is no shortage of ways to get involved in all that Waterspirit is doing. Check our Calls to Action Page and Calendar often and let us know if you want to volunteer to do more!
CLICK HERE to read this week’s mailer, featuring:
a hearing for the NJ Green Amendment (finally!)
a hearing for a Clean Energy Standard bill
updates from Saturday’s NJ Poor People’s Campaign rally
an invitation to the spring equinox celebration, and more!
