How has our unalienable right to a healthy planet become political? (2026)

Imagine a world where the very air we breathe and the water we drink are up for political debate. That’s the reality we’re facing today. What was once considered a fundamental human right—a healthy planet—has somehow become a contentious issue, dividing us along partisan lines. But how did we get here?

It’s no secret that modern politics is riddled with problems, and most Americans are all too aware of it. We find ourselves locked in endless debates over issues that should be universally accepted—basic principles, natural rights, and the responsibilities of citizenship outlined in our founding documents centuries ago. And this is the part most people miss: these aren’t just abstract concepts; they’re the bedrock of our nation’s identity.

Next summer marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. While some may choose to commemorate it with spectacle—like President Trump’s controversial plan to host a UFC event on the White House lawn (https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/46510783/donald-trump-says-white-house-ufc-event-held-june-14)—the rest of us might pause to reflect on its true meaning. We’ve drifted dangerously close to the monarchy it rejected and alarmingly far from the self-evident truths it proclaimed.

The U.S. Constitution may outline the mechanics of our republic, but the Declaration of Independence speaks to its soul. It boldly declares that all people are created equal, endowed with unalienable rights not granted by governments or markets, but by ‘the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God.’ These rights—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—are non-negotiable. Yet, instead of safeguarding them, our government often seems to auction them off to the highest bidder, particularly when it comes to environmental protections.

But here’s where it gets controversial: In 1776, environmental rights weren’t a pressing concern on a continent teeming with natural resources. Today, after 150 years of industrialization, they’re a matter of survival. Clean air, potable water, fertile soil, and a stable climate aren’t luxuries—they’re prerequisites for life itself. Yet, our government’s actions often prioritize corporate interests over these basic needs. Why is this still up for debate?

The connection between human life and the natural world is undeniable. Our health depends on the health of the planet, and vice versa. Recognizing this, around 40 countries (https://www.centerforenvironmentalrights.org/timeline#:~:text=National%20&%20Local%20Laws-,Court%20Decisions,other%20ecosystems%20possess%20legal%20rights.) have enshrined the rights of nature into their laws, while over 80 (https://verfassungsblog.de/the-rise-of-the-constitutional-protection-of-future-generations/) protect the rights of future generations. Critics dismiss these efforts as ‘woke,’ but the authors of the Declaration would likely see them as a fulfillment of its ideals. After all, no generation has the right to compromise the well-being of those yet to come.

The consequences of ignoring these rights are stark and undeniable. Scientists warn that 22 of Earth’s 34 ‘vital signs’ (https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/climate-change/22-of-earths-34-vital-signs-are-flashing-red-new-climate-report-reveals-but-theres-still-time-to-act) are in critical condition. We’re witnessing a mass extinction event (https://news.mongabay.com/2025/07/more-than-10000-species-on-brink-of-extinction-need-urgent-action-study/#:~:text=Islands%20face%20particularly%20high%20extinction,A%20mass%20extinction%20barrels%20forward), largely driven by human activity. In the U.S. alone, nearly half the population (https://www.lung.org/media/press-releases/state-of-the-air-2025) lives in areas where air pollution poses a serious health risk.

The numbers are staggering: 91,000 Americans die prematurely each year from toxic emissions linked to oil and gas production (https://publichealthwatch.org/newsletter/oil-gas-air-pollution-drug-supply-climate/), along with 1,600 new cancer cases and 216,000 childhood asthma diagnoses. Seven million more (https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2025/08/new-epa-data-shows-7m-more-people-exposed-forever-chemicals-us) are exposed to ‘forever chemicals’ in their drinking water. Over 250,000 Americans live in ‘sacrifice zones’ (https://projects.propublica.org/toxmap/), where pollution is rampant and cancer rates soar. And if global temperatures rise by just half a degree, the land area uninhabitable to humans could triple (https://globalclimaterisks.org/insights/blog/a-half-degree-increase-could-triple-uninhabitable-areas-on-earth/).

The Declaration’s other unalienable rights—liberty and the pursuit of happiness—also hinge on preconditions. True liberty requires respecting diversity, the natural outcome of a free society. Yet, diversity is often treated as a threat rather than a strength. Similarly, while happiness itself isn’t guaranteed, the opportunity to pursue it should be. A just society would ensure this through universal healthcare, free education, equal pay, and robust protections against discrimination—policies already in place in many other nations (https://www.internationalinsurance.com/health/countries-free-healthcare/, https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/which-countries-offer-free-college/, https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/mar/05/no-equality-for-working-women-in-any-country-in-the-world-study-reveals-world-bank-gender-gap, https://www.epi.org/publication/workplace-nondiscrimination-protections-state-solutions-to-the-u-s-worker-rights-crisis/).

So, what do we do when our government fails to protect these rights? The Declaration offers a clear answer: ‘Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it.’ Is this the moment we heed that call?

This year’s elections should be a rallying cry for reclaiming our independence from those who would suppress our unalienable rights. The battle for America’s soul is raging, and right now, the forces of division and exploitation are gaining ground. But it doesn’t have to be this way. What if we demanded better? What if we prioritized people and the planet over profit? The choice is ours—and the time to act is now.

William S. Becker (https://thehill.com/person/william-s-becker) is co-editor of and a contributor to ‘Democracy Unchained: How to Rebuild Government for the People,’ and a contributor to ‘Democracy in a Hotter Time,’ named one of 2023’s best science books by Nature. He previously served as a senior official in the Wisconsin Department of Justice and is currently executive director of the Presidential Climate Action Project.