Oregonians are rightfully proud of our unique and beautiful state. Indeed, so committed are we to this delightful corner of the universe that many of us probably think that the health and safety of our environment is constitutionally protected. This is not the case!
The Public Trust Doctrine, which dates from ancient Roman Law, asserts that sovereigns and governments have a duty to manage natural resources (our land, water, air and ecosystems) for the ongoing benefit of the public. We currently protect our environment through laws established by the legislature, interpreted by the courts, and enforced by state agencies. State agencies then enforce the regulations. However, we enjoy no explicit constitutional guarantee to the safe and healthy environment that we would like to maintain or restore. Accordingly, the Oregon Coalition for an Environmental Rights Amendment (OCERA) argues that we should consider enshrining such a right into our state Constitution to secure a sustainable, prosperous future.
The question before us is this: Is there a reason for Oregonians to support a Constitutional Amendment to enshrine for us the right to a safe and healthy environment? Mel Martin, OCERA Coordinator will join Southern Oregon Climate Action Now on Wednesday April 1st at 4:00pm in the Science Auditorium in the Science Building at SOU to explore this question and seek comments and stories from Southern Oregonians about how climate change and such an amendment might affect them.