TUCSON, Ariz.— Voters in seven states have agreed to enshrine abortion access in their state constitutions. Measures to expand abortion access passed in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and New York. In Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota, voters rejected abortion rights.

The Center for Biological Diversity was one of the few major environmental organizations to publicly support these ballot initiatives. The Center believes universal access to health care, including reproductive health care, is a basic human right.

“The majority of voters across the country showed support for reproductive rights, despite electing leaders who have promised to dismantle them,” said Stephanie Feldstein, population and sustainability director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “As we face another four years of a Trump presidency, protecting women’s rights is more important than ever. We have a long road ahead of us, but we’ll never stop fighting for a just and equitable world.”

The environmental movement and the fight for reproductive rights share a common goal: fostering a world where all beings can thrive. Without reproductive justice there can’t be environmental justice, economic justice or social justice. Ensuring access to abortion care is essential for achieving gender equity, reducing poverty and promoting overall well-being.

“We should celebrate these important new constitutional rights even as we mourn the fact that there are still millions of people living in states that restrict abortion,” said Feldstein.

The Center strongly supports empowerment of all people through comprehensive sex education, along with universal access to contraception and reproductive health care. Human rights and justice — including smart urban growth, protecting clean air and water, preserving wildlands, a just clean energy transition, access to healthy food and equitable sustainable lifestyle choices — are necessary for people and the planet.