PennFuture’s Environmental Rights Amendment Forum

Please join PennFuture for a special evening dedicated to understanding the Pennsylvania Constitution’s “Environmental Rights Amendment,” which states: “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.”

PennFuture’s Forum will focus on the history, meaning, and impact of Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, commonly referred to as the “Environmental Rights Amendment.” You’ll hear from legal experts, legislators, and current and former state officials, who will share their perspectives on this often-misunderstood provision. In addition to reflecting on the historical context in which the Amendment emerged, Forum panelists will explain relevant case law, discuss needed enforcement, and consider the future implications of the Amendment for Pennsylvania’s citizens and environment.