To the Editor,

I am writing to express my strong support for the Rhode Island Green Amendment, House Bill 5732, Senate Bill 327.

Rhode Island has long been a leader in environmental progress, from protecting our coastal resources to advancing renewable energy. But despite these efforts, we continue to face significant challenges—rising sea levels, worsening air quality, and pollution that threatens both our health and economy. At a time when federal environmental protections are being weakened, it is more important than ever for Rhode Island to take a stand and ensure that clean air, safe water, and a stable climate are recognized as fundamental rights.

The people of Rhode Island, including future generations, deserve constitutional protection for their inalienable human rights to a clean, safe, and healthy environment—specifically, clean water, breathable air, a stable climate, and thriving ecosystems. The Green Amendment provides an opportunity for all of us—citizens and government leaders alike—to work together to strengthen environmental protections. It empowers our elected officials with a constitutional foundation to prioritize the environment in decision-making, ensuring that the health and well- being of Rhode Islanders are always a guiding consideration.

The Rhode Island Green Amendment would:

• Recognize the inalienable rights of all Rhode Islanders, including future generations, to clean air and water, a healthy environment, a life-supporting climate, and the preservation of the state’s natural resources.
• Affirm that Rhode Island’s public natural resources belong to all the people and that government officials have a responsibility to conserve and maintain these resources equitably for the benefit of all, including future generations.
• Ensure these rights receive the same legal recognition and protection as other fundamental human, civil, and political rights enshrined in our state constitution.

While Rhode Island’s constitution grants the right to enjoy and exercise access to the state’s fisheries and shores under Article 1, Sections 16 and 17, these provisions do not provide explicit and enforceable rights to clean air, safe drinking water, or a stable climate. The Green Amendment will bridge this gap by affirming that every Rhode Islander has a fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment—complementing and strengthening existing legal protections.

By supporting this amendment, our Legislators have the chance to reinforce Rhode Island’s leadership and commitment to a sustainable future. This is an opportunity to take an essential step to protect our communities, health, and economy from environmental degradation while ensuring that future generations inherit a Rhode Island that is just as beautiful and life-sustaining as it is today.

George Faucher
Narragansett

A recent retiree from leading a large-scale global service delivery and program management teams, Faucher is a parishioner of the Peace Dale Congregational Church in Wakefield, which established a "Green Team".  He is co-chair of the Green Team with Don Hermes, a retired geologist.