Environmental Justice & Equitable Access to Clean Water

We have a sacred duty to hear the cry of the Earth and the cry of her most vulnerable populations. To do this, we must explicitly listen to the perspectives of people of color, indigenous people and people in communities with environmental justice concerns. All people, regardless of race, income bracket, or nation of origin, must be treated with fairness and equity. This also requires that all people are engaged actively in the decision making processes concerning resources necessary for life: air, water and food.

Current Campaigns

Green Amendment

When we think about guaranteed constitutional rights, such as free speech and religion, why do we not have the right to clean air, clean water, a stable climate and healthy environments? Inspired by its simplicity for the benefit of all generations, we have been working to pass a New Jersey Green Amendment, nearing the majority of sponsors in the Assembly and Senate. The world is watching the Green Amendment movement. With majority support of New Jerseyans and legislators alike, we are seeing SCR43/ACR119 move through the legislature. Check out Waterspirit’s Winter/Spring Campaign Brief & get involved.

1. Take in this recorded webinar Faith Traditions Uniting In Support of a NJ Green Amendment, September 17, 2024

2. Maya K. van Rossum was featured at the September 2023 Tri-County Sustainability general meeting.

3. New Jersey and other states vying for the Green Amendment by connecting with the Green Amendment App here!

FURTHER READING: Maya’s Bloomberg Law article Green Amendments Will Empower Environmental Protection the 2024 Hill article National Push for ‘Green Amendments’ puts states at forefront of climate fight by Saul Elbein and a 2024 Inside Climate News feature on Maya K. Van Rossum during the NJ Green Amendment’s Movement, Maya K. Van Rossum Wants to Save The World by Kylie Bense.

protecting water as A RIGHT

Water is a fundamental human right, yet for too many communities—especially those in marginalized areas—access to clean, affordable water is under threat. The privatization of water resources is one of the most pressing challenges we face today. When water is treated as a commodity to be bought and sold, it undermines communities' ability to control their own water supplies and leads to higher costs, lower quality, and a lack of accountability. For more information about water privatization implications, here is our related campaign brief.

protecting waterways from toxic contaminants

Clean water is a fundamental human right and a sacred gift. Yet, our waterways are increasingly threatened by toxic pollutants like lead, PFAS, PFOA, synthetic turf and plastics. These contaminants endanger public health, harm ecosystems, and disproportionately affect marginalized, overburdened communities.

We are committed to protecting NJ and NY waterways from these pollutants through strong advocacy and action. As part of the Lead Free New Jersey coalition, Waterspirit is helping to grow this effort. Knowledge is power! Join us in the fight for safe, clean water for all.

In the USA? Find your state here and learn about the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival’s demands. Checkout 14 Policy Priorities of the 140 million poor and low-income people in the USA. Heeding the call to do M.O.R.E (Mobilizing, Organizing, Registering, Educating People for a Movement that Votes), Waterspirit partook in the 1000: 1000 prophetic pledge and supports our volunteer team to help get out the vote for the long haul. Feel empowered? Join us in taking action as part of the larger national Poor People's Campaign.

If you’d like Waterspirit to visit your Religious Community, Youth Council, Student Organization, we will listen to priorities, enrich connections and engage in ongoing succession planning locally toward global water protection. Send us an email: water@waterspirit.org

Recent Highlights

Our Public Policy & Justice Organizer, Rachel Dawn Davis, is chairing the first Water Advocacy Subcommittee of LeadFreeNJ. Drought in the northeast is raising concerns about water quality and access throughout the region. Reach out if you wish to learn more!

Coming up: Join us at upcoming events exploring, celebrating and advocating for water. If you are interested in hearing the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor in community, please connect with us: water@waterspirit.org

Visit our Calls to Action page for relevant, timely advocacy activities.