A New Mexico Green Amendment will recognize and protect the human rights of all our people, including future generations, to healthy water, air and environments including the human health and cultural benefits they provide. A Green Amendment added to the bill of rights of the New Mexico constitution will allow us to honor our sacred trust to care for our earth and future generations, and to equitably protect the rights of all people to access and benefit from healthy environments. Since all life is dependent upon clean air, pure water, a stable climate and healthy environments, it is appropriate and just that we would recognize and protect environmental rights as powerfully as we protect other fundamental civil and political rights such as free speech and freedom of religion. The constitutional environmental rights amendment (i.e. the New Mexico Green Amendment) sets guidelines for working toward a cleaner environment and also empowers communities to hold officials accountable to these standards.

The Moral Imperative of Adopting a Green Amendment

● Prevents targeting communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities, which are disproportionately impacted by contaminated air,waterand environments.

● Emphasizes everyone should have a right to clean air and water no matter where they live or who they are.

● Ensures future generations are part of decision-makingthat could affect the healthy environments neededto enrich and protect their lives physically, emotionally, spiritually, and economically.

● All religious traditions have as a foundation in their sacred documents or scriptures the care of creation for future generations.

The Process of Adopting a Green Amendment in New Mexico

Step One: The Green Amendment will need to pass the New Mexico Legislature

Step Two: The Green Amendment will come before all voting citizens in New Mexico

Step Three: Communities and all life in New Mexico will have the Green Amendment as a way to care for our sacred land, water and air into the future.

How Can YOU Help?

● Educate yourself about the Green Amendment. Plan informational gatherings in your House of worship, family, Green Team, etc. Green Amendments For The Generations can help provide a speaker-expert on the subject (https://forthegenerations.org/contact/)

● Invite your faith community to sign an endorsement in support of the Green Amendment and to share the message with friends, family and neighbors to encourage their sign on and support as well.

● Visit with your New Mexico legislators, write them a letter or email, or call their offices to tell them why a Green Amendment is important.

● Write letters to the editor in local newspapers to inform the public about the Green Amendment.

● Join with other NM Interfaith Power & Light people of faith and conscience in working for the Green Amendment to keep up-to-date on what is needed next in this campaign.