> [!quote] Pick an issue. Study it. Figure out who the decision makers you want to influence are. Name the guilty men. Make alliances with experts. Combine activism with the writing. Create a constituency for reform. And don’t stop till you have achieved some progress. This is what I mean by the Joe Frazier method. Keep coming forward. Be relentless. Don’t stop moving your hands. Break the other guy’s will. :LiQuote: >*— Jack Newfield* ## What is *Green Amends*—or at least, what *will* it be? **Green Amends is a [digital garden](https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/09/03/1007716/digital-gardens-let-you-cultivate-your-own-little-bit-of-the-internet/) dedicated to state constitutional [[Green Amendments|Environmental Rights Amendments]], also known as Green Amendments. The ultimate goal is to empower readers to advocate for these protections in their state constitutions.** I intend for it to be a living knowledgebase on the status and adoption of green amendments among the states along with news, essays, and resources for advocates. The current plan is to develop form letters, legislator dossiers[^1], and how-tos on everything from introducing bills as a citizen (where applicable) to challenging right-wing criticisms of the human right to a healthy environment. For a look at my most current vision and thoughts for the site, check out the "[[What Is This|What Is This?]]" page. Here is what to expect in the near future: - a note on Green Amendments in a nutshell, including why we need them in every state and territory; - overviews and context on the 6 state Green Amendments already in place in [[Hawaii]], [[Illinois]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Montana]], [[Pennsylvania]], and [[Rhode Island]]; and - a look at the recent Montana litigation where the state supreme court [[R. Held, et al. v. State, et al..pdf|affirmed that the state's Green Amendment assured an 'inalienable right to a ‘clean and healthful environment’]], even against environmental harms the framers could not have anticipated. ## About the gardener I am an environmental lawyer and former regulatory and compliance consultant for some of the biggest manufacturing and warehousing companies in the world.[^2] In the consulting world, my [theory of change](https://www.sopact.com/guides/theory-of-change)—both to myself and to my team members that also cared deeply about the environment and public health—was a simple one: > At best, companies are amoral actors that care exclusively about profits. If it's cheaper for them to understand how to come into compliance, they are more likely to comply. If I provide accurate, clear, and concise advice, the odds of environmental, health, or safety non-compliance will go down. This held up well for a while, and I was able to get pretty far. By 2022, I was responsible for my firm's California and US federal regulatory compliance coverage. But by 2024, I was burnt out and not seeing the improvement I wanted to see in my clients or the state of environmental law. So I took a sabbatical to build this site. I was overworked, overstressed, and overdue for a change. It's my sincere wish that this be part of that change. [^1]: Both allied and antagonistic to environmental rights. [^2]: I also once [testified in front of the Maryland general assembly](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Committees/Media/false?cmte=ent&clip=ENV_2_20_2019_meeting_1&ys=2019rs) in favor of an environmental rights amendment, though that and subsequent efforts have not yet been successful. Please ignore my terrible haircut at the time. It was the best I could do on a law student's budget.