Faiths and the Environment – Briefing

This document deals with the relationship between the world’s principal religions and the environment. It describes the different points of view held by communities linked to Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. This work argues that, in order to be able to resolve the world’s main environmental problems effectively, we must find solutions that take into account the following issues: the need for a change in attitude and behaviour in relation to the environment, for collective action, and for belief that with true, deep-reaching changes in attitude we can face up to current environmental challenges. This document includes 11 case studies of different communities linked to the above-mentioned religions, which describe how these religions work with the environment and their good environmental practices. The analysed case studies provide a guide for ecologists, professional or otherwise, who work in environmental programmes since they demonstrate the importance of working with these communities and involving them in their projects. At the end of each case study interesting references to bibliographical and pedagogical sources are provided for those who wish to study the subject further.