Saw Mill River Parkway Trail in Yonkers
By Maya Kollarmalil
For decades, the laws that governed our environment were determined by a checklist. If a company wanted to build a factory or if the city wanted to expand a highway, they simply had to follow administrative rules. Their project would continue if they checked every box, even if the local community ended up breathing in more smoke and dust. But in New York, the playing field has changed. The Green Amendment has been introduced, and it is changing how we advocate for our health in Yonkers.
The Green Amendment is officially Article I, Section 19 of the New York State Constitution. It states, “Each person shall have a right to clean air and water, and a healthful environment.” By addressing environmental health in the Constitution, we have created a fundamental right. Not only that, the amendment is in the same legal category as free speech, emphasizing its true potential.
A Shield for the People
Earlier, if you lived near the Saw Mill River Parkway or a busy industrial zone on the waterfront, you had to prove that a polluter was breaking a specific law. Proving this as a regular resident who couldn’t afford a lawyer had almost been impossible. Now there is no need for proof.
Regulating this amendment is especially important for Yonkers. Our city is a central area for transit and industry, which has led to high rates of asthma and respiratory stress in neighborhoods throughout Yonkers. The Green Amendment shields Yonkers residents. It means that when the City Council or the County Board of Legislators decides land use, they are not just looking at budgets and buildings. Now, they must protect the physical and mental health of the people who live there.
Using Our Voice
As we look towards the future of Yonkers, the Green Amendment must be used even in daily instances. We are no longer just asking for cleaner streets as a favor from our leaders. We are demanding them as a right that must be guaranteed to us.
However, a right is only as strong as the people who use it. We must stay informed about the environmental choices being made at City Hall. We must remind our representatives that protecting our environment isn’t a suggestion but a constitutional amendment. With the Green Amendment in our hands, we finally have the power to ensure that the air we breathe is as clear as the rights we hold.
Maya Kollarmalil is a student at Yonkers Middle High School and a contributor to Yonkers Rising and YonkersTimes.com. She covers local food establishments and other Yonkers-centric topics. Passionate about journalism and storytelling, she enjoys uncovering hidden gems, sharing local voices, and keeping residents informed. Have a story idea? Reach her at MayaK@Yonkerstimes.com.
