Bringing a Federal Climate Amendment to Congress
What WeBreathe
Direct Support
The U.S. Constitution promises the blessings of life and liberty for future generations. Despite the worsening realities of climate disruption, it does not explicitly protect the right to a livable climate system. The Federal Climate Amendment Institute (FCAI) is working to change that.
Overview
Drivers of Outrage
This country’s youngest people will live with the longest-term consequences of climate instability, but they remain among the most excluded from systems of political influence. While climate impacts intensify, federal protections from climate harms remain fragmented, vulnerable to political shifts, and often treated as optional rather than foundational rights. Currently, climate policies and environmental…
7U.S. STATES
7 U.S. states recognize environmental rights in their constitutions, though only 3 have formal Green Amendments.
27AMENDMENTS
Since its ratification in 1788, the United States Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times, most recently in 1992.
85%YOUNG AMERICANS
In a November 2024 study, 85% of youth, aged 16-25, endorsed being at least moderately worried about climate & its impacts on people and the planet.
7U.S. STATES
7 U.S. states recognize environmental rights in their constitutions, though only 3 have formal Green Amendments.
27AMENDMENTS
Since its ratification in 1788, the United States Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times, most recently in 1992.
85%YOUNG AMERICANS
In a November 2024 study, 85% of youth, aged 16-25, endorsed being at least moderately worried about climate & its impacts on people and the planet.
Funding the Action
In June 2025, FCAI held the first Youth Climate Rights Hill Briefing in the Rayburn House Office Building — bringing Congressional staff and interns into direct conversation about constitutional climate protections. Over the past year, FCAI has engaged with approximately 10 Senate offices and 40 House offices. The goal now is to significantly expand that reach (up to 150 offices briefed) and continue building momentum around the principle that future generations deserve meaningful constitutional climate protections. Campaign contributions will help directly fund FCAI’s upcoming summer advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., beginning with a June 23 Congressional Youth Climate Rights Briefing. This campaign is focused on direct engagement — bringing young voices into the spaces where federal decisions are shaped and building long-term momentum around constitutional climate protections through education, dialogue, and outreach.
Potential Outcomes
Success will not be measured solely by immediate legislative outcomes, but by increased Congressional awareness and discussion surrounding constitutional climate protections. Some offices may become active supporters. Others may remain skeptical. But increasing exposure to the concept itself helps shift climate from a temporary political issue into a longer-term constitutional conversation. As federal…
In the United States, we acknowledge and protect free speech, property, and gun rights. We don’t formally recognize a right to drink clean water, to breathe clean air, and to have the healthy environments essential to supporting and sustaining healthy lives.”
The Bigger Picture
Federal Climate Amendment Institute
The Federal Climate Amendment Institute (FCAI) is a national youth-led movement organizing, educating, and researching to build the constitutional right to a livable climate through the Federal Climate Amendment. FCAI was founded by Lake Liao in January 2025 as federal climate protections faced growing erosion. Since then, the organization has begun introducing the concept of a Federal Climate Amendment directly to Congress.