Rev. Doretta Colburn – Our constitutional rights to a clean, healthy environment are long overdue

We can rely on certain things to ensure healthy living.

The environment we live in, the water we drink, and the quality of our air are all important for our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. People are more sensitive to the effects of toxic chemicals in water, soil, and air that can cause harm to their health, safety, and viable farming practices. We can change this.

Soon, LD 489The 130th Legislature will be presenting the Maine Constitution for amendment. These rights may not be violated by the State. The State must conserve, protect, and maintain the natural resources of the State, including its air, water and ecosystems, for the benefit and enjoyment of all people, including future generations.

This language is written into the state constitution. It creates an obligation for our government to protect those rights and sets a standard against which actions and decisions will be measured. In addition to the existing constitutional rights this would give greater confidence that environmental rights will be protected before they become a problem.

This letter is on behalf of the Maine Council of Churches. The organization consists of seven member-denominations. They represent 437 congregations and have 55,000 members in Maine.

I am a 26-year-old ordained pastor, farmer, and proud grandparent. I am a person who values the worth of every person. I work hard to give my best, regardless of whether it is spiritual, emotional, or physical nourishment. I can’t imagine anyone else having the right to clean air, water, and a healthy environment.

As a farmer and grandparent, I want to share my stories about my grandsons who visit the farm often. They are aged 4 and 7, and are enthusiastic harvesters. As they eat their way through the mulberry trees, raspberry patches, and fresh produce in our gardens, not much gets into the basket.

As they reach for new samples, they take for granted our healthy environment. Our grandsons dont question it. Why would they? They have a natural expectation that the air and water they breathe are pure and clean. The environment they hike in and love every day is healthy. They shouldn’t have to question it, nor should anyone else.

So, I am now an advocate for our grandchildren and for all of us. We can be confident in knowing that our rights for a healthy environment are protected by the Maine State Constitution. My faith teaches me that I have a responsibility to take care of this amazing planet we call home and do what is right and just for the benefit all.

However, we must recognize that Earth has the right to basic needs that sustain it and flourishes, regardless of whether we seek these rights for everyone.

We all love Maine’s natural beauty, from the ocean to the mountains, lakes and rivers, and all the amazing wonders that surround us. It is why Maine is our home and why we want to preserve it for future generations. They and everyone else should have the ability to trust the environment and feel the joy and freedom that my grandsons experience. These rights will be protected by the Pine Tree Amendment.

Rev. Doretta Colburn of Waterford is an ordained minister who is active with climate justice and works on her 60-acre farm. Here she raises bison, grows seasonal produce, and bakes artisan breads.

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