Environmentalism: Ecological Consciousness of Islam and the West
Pakistan Journal of Islamic Research (PJIR), 21:2 (2020), pp. 193-209
17 Pages Posted: 16 Jul 2020 Last revised: 24 Dec 2020
Date Written: June 23, 2020
Abstract
This work discusses that environmentalism is a contested but a powerful and hot discourse of this time. It revolves around ecological consciousness of Islam and the West, and methodically examines various dimensions thereof, inter alia, its Islamic perspectives vis-à-vis the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in respect of man’s mandate on earth, conservation of nature, legislative principles and legal instruments for the protection of the environment, while keeping the Western perspective in juxtaposition, with special focus on scholarly, state, institutional and commercial environmentalism. In addition to recording the viewpoints of the proponents and opponents of environmentalism, success and failures of the evolution of the discourse has also been discussed. The main results and findings of this work, after dissecting a path for the crossing, inter alia, are that it is a sad and hard reality that the gravity of climate change has not as such adequately been appreciated, much less addressed so far; instead one may observe instances and attitude of defiance far more than compliance, out of a cluster of political, social and economic reasons; which culture needs to be altered for the greater good of all. In the end, a way forward has also been propounded, involving, dignified observance of divine commandments at all levels, unified climate agenda, universal climate campaign, sustainable development, just transition, inculcation of a culture of humane approach, innovation, conservancy, eco-efficiency, eco-labelling, and climate justice, to ensure making this planet ecologically sustainable and climate-resilient to the abode, for the current and future generations of mankind and all creatures of God.
Keywords: Islam, the West, environmentalism, climate change, environmental protection, climate crisis, divine commandments, sustainable development, conservancy, eco-efficiency and climate justice.
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation