Having faith in the environment

CIWEM believes that faith groups can help overcome the world's environmental problems.

As over 80 percent of the world's population profess a religious allegiance, CIWEM recognises faith groups as useful partners in helping disseminate pro-environmental messages, influencing attitudes and encouraging behavioural change.

Many faiths share an altruistic focus and a narrative that promotes care for the environment.

Members of such groups are often involved in the provision of social care, humanitarian aid and education, so are likely to be receptive to messages invoking moral responsibility for their environmental impacts.

Islam, Judaism and Christianity share a belief in a single Creator and man's appointment as responsible stewards, while Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism believe that all living beings are potentially divine.

These faiths share an optimism that the profound transformations needed to overcome environmental problems can be made.

Moreover, they espouse that a simpler, less materialistic lifestyle allows people to re-connect with their natural environment, leading to healthier and happier lives.

Coinciding with the season of Creationtide, CIWEM has created a web-based resource to help environmental professionals consider why it is worth engaging with faith groups on environmental issues; publicise examples of global best-practice and show how faith groups might get involved in environmental projects or campaigns.

Case studies featured include an inter-faith waste management initiative in Africa, an American Jewish organisation that campaigns on energy and climate change, a grass-roots organisation inspiring Nepal's Hindus to help clean up a major river, and a Christian organisation looking at the impact of climate and land-use changes on biodiversity.

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