Number: 1987-07
WHEREAS, the United States Constitution seeks to assure every individual of essential rights and liberties; and
WHEREAS, these rights and liberties depend upon protection of the environment and of the values of our natural resources; and
WHEREAS, subsequent to the adoption of this great document, environmental pollution has increased to the point of jeopardizing those basic rights; and
WHEREAS, it is consistent with the principles of the United States Constitution to enumerate and establish the citizenry’s inalienable rights to a clean and healthy environment; and
WHEREAS, all Americans and their descendants are entitled to the enjoyment of clean and healthy air and water, abundant fish and wildlife resources, conservation of our productive soils, and vigilant stewardship of our public lands; and
WHEREAS, it is the indispensable duty of the National Wildlife Federation by a loyal and dutiful address to the American people, the President, and the United States Congress to secure an Environmental Bill of Rights;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 19-22, 1987, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, hereby supports the following principle:
“The people have a right to clean air, pure water, productive soils, and to the conservation of the natural, scenic, historic, recreational, esthetic, and economic values of the environment. America’s natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the United States Government shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all people”; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States Constitution should be amended to include an Environmental Bill of Rights.