Our beautiful Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is home to some of the greatest natural resources – and natural beauty – in the United States.
Pennsylvania. It’s our nature.
Access to a clean, natural
environment isn’t just
good for our health –
it’s our constitutional right
as Pennsylvanians.
Pennsylvania Constitution, Article I, Section 27. Natural resources and the public estate.
The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people. (May 18, 1971, P.L.769, J.R.3)
A healthy climate isn’t just a resource, it’s our right: Pennsylvania’s powerful Environmental Rights Amendment (the “ERA”).
The future isn’t just on the horizon; it’s here right now.
All Pennsylvania officials - elected and appointed -
are trustees for the environment and, under our constitutional superpower, the ERA, we and our future generations are beneficiaries of that trust.
Our Challenge, Our Responsibility.
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OUR ALLIES
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
The Initiative is working to encourage local Pennsylvania officials at all levels of government to implement climate action plans that put the ERA front and center in their comprehensive planning. The Initiative supports Drexel University’s Environmental Collaboratory in their work to curate best practices for communities throughout Pennsylvania, especially those that have been historically underserved.
BEST PRACTICES INCLUDE:
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Advancing comprehensive planning to encourage clean energy.
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Procuring/purchasing power from clean energy sources.
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Ensuring that traditionally underserved communities are protected from adverse climate impacts.
Advancing comprehensive planning to encourage climate resilience
Procuring/purchasing power from renewable energy sources
Ensuring that traditionally underserved communities are protected from adverse climate impacts
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