Requirement of new approach relating to environment
As humanity moves toward the 21st century, we are left with no choice but to redefine the values and principles that underlie our relationship with the Earth. Clearly, a new approach is required.
Creating a Spiritual Culture: The industrial civilization has brought about an abundance of goods and services to humankind, but also an obsession for materialism and a distortion of human values.
Earth is the common home for all of us. We must all strive to share equitably the benefits and burdens resulting from the use of the environment.
Greening Science and Technology: Science and technology have played a critical role in the development of human history and will be one of the key determining factors in shaping a sustainable future. However, the impacts of technological development and their applications have also become so serious that they threaten the stability of the ecosystem and human society.
Sharing Responsibilities: All members of human society are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the environment as a Whole-Life-System. Individual efforts can be enhanced through building networks within and among all levels of civil society and government, industry and business, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Environmental Education:
Education, especially at an early age, has a significant effect on how people form attitudes toward the environment, and is thus crucial.
Educational programme designed to enhance awareness of environmental issues and ethics must be developed and applied at all levels of society through all available and practical means.
International Cooperation: Nations share common responsibilities for preserving Earth"s environment. This amounts to active involvement in regional and international cooperative efforts and joint implementation of environmentally-sound policies, while faithfully complying with established multilateral agreements.
Environmentally-Sound Lifestyle: All members of society must cultivate a lifestyle that accepts and is consistent with sufficiency rather than greed and excess. Bearing in mind that Earth"s resources are limited, each person must avoid a culture of extravagant material consumption and pursue ways to preserve the planet by improving consumption patterns.
Active Involvement: Individuals are encouraged to participate both morally and politically in all levels in the decision-making process of environmental policies in order to improve the quality of decision-making, avoid corruption, and ensure that their interests can be properly represented.
Role of "Watchdog" and Liaison: NGOs must serve the role of "watchdog" and must be prepared to assess and evaluate policy decisions, and where necessary, propose alternative environmental and development policies.
The industrial sector must actively apply eco-efficiency principles in order to use less energy and materials for the same amount of output and to reduce emissions and waste. This requires the widespread adoption of environmentally-friendly production technologies, an increased use of recycled materials, and a greater emphasis on substituting goods with services. The financial and insurance sectors must also increasingly direct investment toward environmentally-sound projects.
Interdisciplinary Approach: Science and technology alone cannot resolve the impending environmental crisis. An interdisciplinary approach, which includes other branches of academic endeavors such as the humanities and social sciences, is needed to develop active research programs for a better understanding of the increasingly complicated environmental problems.
The key is to recognize that humans and the natural environment are interdependent and part of a larger entity, the "Whole-Life-System
Other links:
Islam, Muslims, and modern technology
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