In the history of mankind, religion has been the main supporter of environmental protection. Islam emphasizes the necessity and importance of environmental protection so that man can live in harmony with nature, as well as to achieve sustainable development, enrich life on earth, and make best use of available resources.
Islam talks not only of the relationship between Allah and man, and between peoples, but also provides guidelines on how to deal with our environment and natural resources in a better way in all situations. It is important to mention that Islam not only calls for environmental protection but also advocates care for the environment. The concept of caring for the environment is more comprehensive and deeper than protection as it involves different aspects such as protection from damage and pollution, as well as allowing for the environment to flourish.
In Islam, man’s relation to the earth is seen as that of a custodian. It is required that man should work towards the conservation of earth, ensuring sustainability of natural resources for future generations. He must not be extravagant in consumption, whether of food, cloth or natural resources.
There are general guidelines that guide us to develop the earth. Islam supports anything that benefits man and forbids anything that is harmful or evil for man. The latter includes, of course, pollution and environmental degradation or damage.
Basically, the green concept is very related to Islam. What is the green concept? The Green concept refers to the health impact of what we do on living things. So Green is primarily a health-related issue. Going green means pursuing knowledge and practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles. It serves to protect our health and to sustain natural resources for current and future generations. Going green is an individual and global initiative. We can make small adjustments in our lifestyle that will reduce our carbon footprint, which consequently contributes to the global initiative. We can also participate in large-scale shifts toward greener living by staying abreast of environmental issues that affect our family now and in the future. Each time we make a conscious decision to conserve natural resources, we take another step toward green living.
Adopting a greener lifestyle is very simple for example changing our usage of plastic products to biodegradable products. Biodegradable products are those that can be decomposed by microbes and other natural biological processes. Biodegradable plastics first appeared on the market in the 1980s.
We all know that plastic products are an environmental nightmare as they do not decompose. Many countries around the world have actually outlawed the use of plastic beg because they cause such an unsightly mess when thrown into bays and streams clog water flow, causing stagnant water. This in itself is a health hazard as it is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, other insects, bacteria and vermin. Areas in Bangladesh were flooded when plastic bags plugged many sections of the drainage system during a typhoon. Consequently, in 2002 Bangladesh passed a ban on plastic bags. France, China and Italy have banned plastic bags while other countries such as Ireland and Australia push for voluntary bans or place a fee on plastic bags. Stores in Germany also charge for use of plastic bags which encourages people to purchase reusable bags.
The household goods market has already seen plastic replacements in the form of bioplastics made from wheat, corn, potatoes and other starchy vegetables. The bioplastics are viable biodegradable options. They are made to replace the plastic containers, utensils and food packing that many people use every day. There are two prominent bioplastics on the market, polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxalkanoate(PHA).
The bioplastic known as PLA is produced from starches found in corn, wheat and potatoes that are fermented by lactobacillus organisms. The lactic acid produced by the organisms is fused with polymers to create a plastic-like substance. Once the containers or food packages made from PLA are used, they can be thrown away with ordinary trash. There, the organisms that promote decomposition can easily break the bonds made between the polymers and lactic acid to degrade the package or container.
The bioplastics known as PHA are similar to PLA but created by a different process. The manufacturing begins with the culturing of bacteria to produce granules of a plastic like substance. According to the Australian Academy of Science, the genetic material from these granules can be combined with the genetic material in corn. The result is a special variety of crop that can be easily converted into the bioplastic materials used in a container or food package. PHA products are easily broken down or degraded in landfills and compost settings, like PLA plastics
Our Prime Minister has envisioned green technology as the new growth engine for Malaysia. He foresees green technology will be able to ensure Malaysia remains competitive in the international markets as global demand for sustainable products increase. In the same breath, he also stated that green development strategies are not only for economic considerations, rather, we have a moral obligation to leave behind an environment which is as pristine as we inherited. He has also made a conditional commitment to reduce Malaysia’s carbon intensity by 40% to the GDP in 2020 based on 2005 levels, at the COP 15 in Copenhagen.
In the budget speech for 2010, regarding Green technology financing scheme, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak, announced the establishment of Green Technology Financing Scheme as an effort to improve the supply and utilization of Green Technology. The scheme could benefit companies who are producers and users of green technology. As a sign of commitment, the Government will bear 2% of the total interest/profit rate. In addition, the Government will provide a guarantee of 60% on the financing amount via Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC), with the remaining 40% financing risk.
However, these going green is not limited to the above discusses but we may think about “green marriage” across the race and religions. What is green marriage? These eco-friendly wedding options are inexpensive, fun, and easy on the conscience because our big day doesn’t have to damage the planet.
There are several ways to make our wedding “green marriage”. (1) Use biodegradable seed paper for wedding invitations. Instead of a paper wedding invitations, use seed-embedded cards. When planted in soil, they grow wildflowers. (2) Set up an organic gift registry. Look for stores that sell organic cotton, recycled glassware, bamboo home accessories, and so on. Our gift registry can (and should) reflect our green wedding, lifestyle, and values. (3) Use local, seasonal flowers. Our local florist can tell we which bouquets are local and seasonal which means they don’t have to travel long distances or damage the planet. This is an inexpensive way to make our wedding eco-friendly because local and seasonal are often cheaper. (4) Plan a green honeymoon. Eco-friendly honeymoons include exotic eco-tours, wilderness retreats, eco-spas, and local eco-escapades. In fact, green honeymoons may be more romantic and bonding than traveling to Europe or America. They may or may not be an expensive way to make our wedding eco-friendly. It depends on where the resort and the distance from your house.
Lastly, In other words, Islam calls on man to care for the environment, enjoy its beauty and not spoil it, “and do good as God has been good to you”.