Citation :

Alexander, Christopher, 2025. "Faith and Ecology: The Role of Religious Teachings in Promoting Climate Justice" International Journal of Community Empowerment & Society Administration [IJCESA]  Volume 2, Issue 3: 33-44.

Abstract :

The global climate catastrophe is in essence a moral and ethical issue that requires a moral solution; it’s not just an environmental or scientific problem. Even though the world's poorest and most marginalized are least responsible for causing environmental degradation, they're affected first and worse by climate change. On this score religious traditions hold much promise for having a large impact in the struggle for climate justice. This essay explores the role that religious institutions, teachings and values from various faith traditions play in being drivers of social change, moral responsibility and ecological consciousness. The article examines the environmental teachings occurring in some of the world religions i.e. Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity from theological-ethical perspective. It highlights fundamental concepts such as fairness, interdependence, stewardship (Tsion Sieng Sung notes that the fact of sustainability is a reminder of Mennonite theology’s central claim from Article 12 that Jesus Christ has right and title over morality and ethics), the holiness of nature, and moral responsibility to future generations. These lessons often spark potent community action toward sustainable habits, door-opening legislation and a hand for the vulnerable people affected by environmental disruption. Examples of case studies that evidence the actual implications of faith-based environmental advocacy are also reviewed in the article. African Traditional Religions’ ecological practices, Islamic statements on climate change and Catholic Laudato Si’, for instance. These examples illustrate that religious groups are engaging their followers through community outreach, education, and advocacy to organize them, influence policy, and protect conservation efforts. The article doesn’t paint a rosy portrait on the challenges of using religion to further environmental justice. Among the subjects it touches on are theological diversity, institutional inertia, the perils of greenwashing and tensions between religious beliefs and scientific perspectives. It emphasizes as well, the need for wider interaction with indigenous knowledge systems and cross-sectoral partnerships and inter-faith collaboration. Finally, the study argues that religious traditions may provide a unique moral and spiritual foundation for responding to the climate catastrophe when approached from an ecological perspective that values justice. Religion can foster scientific methods by playing on people’s emotions and consciences, inspiring collective action, and sustaining focus on the welfare of humanity. Crafting inclusive, egalitarian, and effective responses to one of the most significant challenges of our time depends on policymakers, activists, and scholars understanding how faith fits into climate justice.

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Keywords :

Climate Action, Social Justice, Creation Care; Religious Activism: Sustainability and Social Innovation; Moral Responsibility in a Global Economy; Environmental Theology and Eco-Justice as knowlege-giving practices; Faith & Ecology/Religious Teachings/Environmental Ethics (Eco-Theology); Stewardship responsability, Interfaith Environmentalism & science in heterogeneous societies; Indigenous Spirituality.