Think You’re Entitled? You're Not, “Unless...”

The Delaware Constitution guarantees us a lot of rights. What among them are the most important? Free speech? The right to bear arms? When reviewing our guaranteed rights it appears that we are missing some vital entitlements…

There is not any explicit mention of a right to clean air, pure water, or a healthy environment. Yes this means you, as Delawareans ARE NOT entitled to clean water and pure air. Only two states have included the right of its citizens to a healthy environment: Pennsylvania and Montana. In the past year, Delaware news has been littered with headlines including:

Poisoned wells found near Sussex chicken plant - Delaware news

State: Lead in drinking water in some Lewes homes

PFCs found in the drinking water in Blades 

Our first Delaware discussion on a green amendment and was held at the Milton Library in Sussex County in October. Maya Van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper and founder of Green Amendments For the Generations, hosted a discussion that was co-sponsored by Socially Responsible Agricultural Project and Sussex Health & Environmental Network. This discussion was based on a new strategy for environmental protection for the state of Delaware and how you can be a part of it. 

We all have the right to pure water, clean air, and a healthy environment. It is time to claim that right—for our own sake and that of future generations.

To learn more about the green amendment, you can visit:

https://forthegenerations.org/the-green-amendment/ 

Unless we do something soon, it may be too late. This calls on a childhood memory of the Dr. Seuss book, The Lorax. The Lorax wanted to make sure the environment was not harmed by another character’s textile production. This eventually drove away native species and destroyed the environment until nothing but “grickle-grass” could grow there. When a state accommodates for pollution in its regulations rather than prevent it, we see public health taking a back seat to corporate profits. This type of growth is unsustainable and robs the public of its common resources. Help us inform Governor Carney that we need a green amendment in Delaware for the current citizens, and for generations to come. You can sign on to the petition here: https://forthegenerations.org/actnow/actionde

Written By: Michael Payan