Bordentown Township is proud to support the proposed Green Amendment to the New Jersey State Constitution. At our upcoming Township Committee Meeting on July 21, we will formally introduce a resolution in support of this amendment, joining communities across the state in recognizing that environmental rights deserve constitutional protection.
In a time when climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation are pressing issues, New Jersey has the opportunity to lead with bold, meaningful action. The Green Amendment would guarantee every person in the state the fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment.
What the Green Amendment Does
This amendment recognizes that clean air, pure water, and healthy ecosystems are not luxuries -- they are rights. Just like freedom of speech or the right to vote, environmental rights would be protected at the highest level of our state’s legal system.
If passed, the Green Amendment would:
Affirm that every person has the right to a clean and healthy environment, including access to pure water, clean air, and ecologically sound habitats.
Require the State to protect the natural, scenic, historic, and aesthetic qualities of New Jersey’s environment.
Establish that the State holds our public natural resources -- our air, waters, lands, flora, fauna, and climate -- as a trust for all people, now and in the future.
Make these protections self-executing, meaning they don’t require further legislation to be enforced.
Why It Matters
The Green Amendment gives legal power to residents to hold the State accountable -- not just for harmful actions, but also for failing to act when our environment is at risk. It places the burden of conservation and sustainability where it belongs: with our government, which must serve as a trustee of our shared natural resources.
This isn’t just about today. It’s about protecting the New Jersey we love for our children, our grandchildren, and all the generations to come.
What Happens Next
Once this proposed amendment is agreed to by the Legislature, it will appear on the ballot at the next general election. That means voters across the state will have the chance to enshrine environmental rights directly into our Constitution.
Let’s Make History Together
New Jersey has a proud tradition of environmental leadership -- from the Pinelands to the Highlands, the Jersey Shore to our farmlands and forests. This amendment is the next step in that legacy.
We urge residents, lawmakers, and community leaders to support the Green Amendment and help ensure that environmental protection is not optional, but a constitutional obligation.
Because everyone deserves clean air to breathe, safe water to drink, and a healthy environment to call home.