Who We Are

We are a group of Exeter citizens who are concerned about climate change and the impacts it will have on our community.  We believe that in order to protect human and ecosystem health, communities can and should have a say in whether to allow harmful corporate activity within their towns.

What is a Rights Based Ordinance? (RBO)
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• A binding local law
• Passed by democratic community vote
• Makes environmental and social harm illegal
• Elevates rights of people and ecosystems over corporate and state interference
• Asserts the Right of Local Self-government and Rights of Ecosystems

Exeter's Rights Based Ordinance:

• A binding, local law that establishes a bill of rights that includes: the right to a healthy climate, the right to clean air, water and soil, the right of ecosystems to exist and flourish, and the right of self-government. 
• Recognizes the rights of natural ecosystems and empowers residents to protect them.
• Elevates the rights of our residents and ecosystem above the claimed rights of corporations, who are artificial persons.
• Ensures that permits issued by State and Federal authority are acceptable only when they do not violate the rights of community members or ecosystems.
• Allows for community enforcement of the law.
• Is affirmed by Article 10 of the NH State Constitution ("Government is instituted for the common benefit, protection, & security of the whole community, not for the private interest  of any one person, family, or class, therefore, whenever the ends of government are perverted, public liberty manifestly endangered, & all other means of redress ineffectual, the people may & of right ought to reform the old or establish a new government.")
  

The Right to a Healthy Climate

In March 2019, Exeter voters were asked whether they would support the passage of a Rights Based Ordinance called "The Right to a Healthy Climate".  Voters agreed that it was important and passed the ordinance at the town election. ​

At the same election, voters also chose to establish a Sustainability Office and to replace all streetlights with energy efficient LED bulbs. Concern for the environment is clearly a high priority for Exeter residents!

Why a “Right to a Healthy Climate” RBO (Rights-Based Ordinance)?

Under our current system of local government, there is no mechanism for residents to stop proposed projects by corporations that are detrimental to the people's and the ecosystem’s rights, health, safety and welfare. 

Current regulations only allow thresholds or limits to be set, they don’t allow states or communities to outright say no to a harmful project. 

Where does the “Right to a Healthy Climate” RBO come from?

The “Right to a Healthy Climate” RBO was brought forth by Exeter residents, with support from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF), an organization committed to fighting for community and environmental rights since 1995.

Over 200 towns in the US have passed similar RBOs in PA, OH, CO, OR & NH, all in opposition to proposed projects deemed detrimental to their communities.


In NH – Barnstead (2006), Nottingham (2008, 2019), Atkinson (2008), Sugar Hill & Easton (2012), Grafton (2013), Danbury, Alexandria & Hebron (2014), and Barnstead & Barrington (2016) passed similar RBO's in their communities.