Peat Bogs, People, and the Planet
Peat bogs may not get the same attention as rainforests or oceans, but they play a critical role in the health of our planet. These unique wetland ecosystems store vast amounts of carbon — often more per acre than forests — making their conservation essential in the fight against climate change. Yet when drained, damaged, or destroyed, peat bogs release that stored carbon back into the atmosphere, turning a powerful climate ally into a significant contributor to global warming. This piece explores the delicate balance peat bogs represent between benefit and harm, and draws a thoughtful connection between “bog” and “God” — framing the protection of these overlooked ecosystems as a matter of spiritual responsibility as much as environmental urgency. Caring for peat bogs, like caring for all of creation, becomes an act of stewardship with consequences that ripple far beyond their boundaries. Those interested in exploring similar themes in…
Sheik Muhammed Amara: Islam and Ecology (Hebrew)
This resource highlights Islamic perspectives on environmental stewardship, spotlighting two key voices in the interfaith ecology space. The first is a talk by Imam Barhum on “Islam and the Environment,” delivered at the Faith and Ecology Conference, which explores how Islamic teachings and values inform care for the natural world and guide believers toward more sustainable, responsible living. The second is an interview with Sheikh Muhammed Amara on ecology, conducted in Hebrew, offering further insight into how Islamic scholars and leaders are engaging with environmental issues within their communities. Together, these resources underscore the growing role of Islamic thought in the broader interfaith sustainability movement, showing how faith traditions across the world are mobilizing spiritual teachings to address ecological challenges. Viewers can explore more interfaith environmental content on the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development’s website. For more on Islam and ecology, please see this video of Imam Barhum on Islam…
Sustainability, Spirituality, and Simple Living
In a world driven by overconsumption, Sonja Ohlsson, International Director of the Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative, makes the case for a radically different way of living — one rooted in simplicity and spiritual mindfulness. She explores how reducing consumption isn’t merely an environmental necessity but a path to greater inner peace, clarity, and purpose. Drawing on spiritual principles, Ohlsson argues that true fulfillment doesn’t come from accumulating more, but from letting go of excess and reconnecting with what truly matters — a message that bridges personal wellbeing with planetary health. Her reflections offer a compelling framework for anyone looking to align their daily choices with both sustainability and spiritual growth. For those interested in extending this exploration to everyday habits, a related video examines sustainable food choices through the lens of faith and religious tradition. Sonja Ohlsson, the International Director of the Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative, speaks about the value…
Christianity and Sustainability: Bishop Speaks on Christian Ecology
Christian teachings have long emphasized humanity’s role as stewards of God’s creation — a theme Bishop Arnold Temple, President of the All Africa Conference of Churches, brings to life in this reflection on Christian ecology. He explores how biblical principles call believers to care for the Earth not as passive observers, but as active custodians entrusted with protecting the natural world for future generations. Bishop Temple connects theological teaching with practical environmental responsibility, framing ecological stewardship as a core expression of Christian faith rather than a secondary concern. His perspective adds an important voice from the African Christian community to the broader interfaith conversation on sustainability, highlighting how churches across the continent are increasingly engaging with environmental issues. Viewers interested in further Christian perspectives on ecology and theology can explore an additional related video from another Christian pastor.
Dharma and Sustainability: Insights Into Hindu Ecology
In Hindu tradition, the concept of dharma — one’s righteous duty and way of life — extends far beyond personal conduct to encompass a deep responsibility toward the natural world. In this talk, Gopal Patel, Director of the Bhumi Project, explores how Hindu teachings frame ecological care as an integral part of living a dharmic life. He explains that protecting and preserving the planet isn’t separate from spiritual practice, but rather a natural expression of it, rooted in the interconnectedness of all living beings and the sacredness of nature within Hindu philosophy. Patel’s insights highlight how ancient wisdom traditions can offer meaningful guidance for addressing today’s environmental challenges, adding an important Hindu perspective to the growing interfaith dialogue on sustainability. Viewers interested in comparing perspectives across traditions can also explore a related video on Christian ecology. If you are interested in learning more about various religious practices and beliefs, and…
The Garden of Eatin’: Sustainable Eating and Religion
Do you really know where your food comes from — and what your choices mean for the planet? This piece explores the surprising and often overlooked connections between sustainable eating and religious teaching, using everyday examples like packaged bubblegum versus a simply peeled banana to illustrate how far removed modern food consumption has become from its natural origins. Across faith traditions, eating is rarely treated as a purely physical act — it carries spiritual weight, calling for mindfulness, gratitude, and awareness of the resources and labor behind every meal. This reflection invites readers to reconsider everyday food choices through a spiritual lens, framing sustainable eating not just as an environmental responsibility but as an act of faith and conscious living. For those interested in exploring similar everyday dilemmas, a related video examines the surprising link between flushing candy down the toilet and questions of faith. Check out our video on…
Oil: the World’s Achilles Heel
When drones recently struck the world’s largest oil refinery, they exposed a vulnerability that extends far beyond the immediate energy market — revealing just how fragile the global economy remains due to its deep dependence on oil. This piece examines why oil functions as the world’s “Achilles heel,” a single point of failure capable of triggering economic shockwaves across industries and nations with a single attack, natural disaster, or geopolitical disruption. Beyond analyzing the risks of oil dependency, this reflection turns to solutions, asking what role individuals, communities, and particularly religious schools and institutions can play in shifting society away from fossil fuel reliance and toward more resilient, sustainable energy practices. By framing the conversation around both economic vulnerability and moral responsibility, this piece connects everyday awareness of energy dependence to the broader interfaith sustainability movement. Viewers interested in the economic dimensions of environmental issues can also explore a related…
Flushing Candy vs Faith
What could flushing candy down the toilet possibly have to do with the Bible? This piece uses that unexpected, attention-grabbing scenario to dive into one of today’s most pressing sustainability issues: food waste. Rather than treating food waste as merely a logistical or environmental problem, this reflection explores how faith organizations are actively engaging with the issue, drawing on biblical teaching and religious values to address wasteful consumption habits. Featuring perspectives connected to Union Theological Seminary, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and Lexington Theological Seminary Library in the US, this piece highlights the tangible ways theological institutions are working to combat food waste and promote more mindful, responsible consumption within their communities. By linking an everyday act — throwing away food — to deeper questions of faith and stewardship, this reflection reinforces the idea that sustainability is as much a spiritual practice as a practical one. For a deeper look at the…
The Titanic vs. Noah’s Ark
Two ships, two very different outcomes — and a powerful metaphor for humanity’s relationship with the planet. This piece draws a striking parallel between the Titanic, a symbol of hubris and denial that led to catastrophe, and Noah’s Ark, a story of foresight, preparation, and collective survival in the face of an undeniable crisis. Speaking from Jerusalem, Rabbi Yonatan Neril, founding director of The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, reflects on what determines which path humanity takes: acknowledgment. He argues that only by honestly accepting the reality and scale of the environmental crisis we face can we find the motivation to change course and act collectively — much like those who heeded the warning and boarded the Ark, rather than those who dismissed the danger until it was too late. Ultimately, this reflection is a call to recognize that we are all in the same boat, bound together in shared…