The book Handbook on Religion and the Environment edited in part by Prof. İbrahim Özdemir, faculty member of the Department of Philosophy at Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Vice President of American Islamic College, has been published by Edward Elgar Publishing. The volume brings together leading scholars in the field to examine how religious traditions shape environmental values, mobilize communities, and contribute practical solutions to today’s ecological crises.
Prof. Özdemir among the editors
Prof. İbrahim Özdemir is among the editors of the book, which has been published by Edward Elgar Publishing as an important part of the Elgar Handbooks in Energy, the Environment and Climate Change series.
The editorial team also includes Susan Power Bratton, Emerita Professor of Environmental Studies at Baylor University, and Stephanie Clintonia Boddie, Professor and holder of the Fuller Family Chair in Social Justice at Baylor University.
A foundational reference work
In the Anthropocene Age, marked by accelerating climate change, deepening ecological destruction, and serious moral uncertainty, rethinking humanity’s relationship with the Earth has become an urgent intellectual and practical task.
This timely and comprehensive volume serves as a foundational reference for academics, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to understand how the world’s religions address environmental and climate issues.
Exploring the ethical and social contributions of religious traditions
The Handbook on Religion and the Environment goes beyond purely technical or policy focused approaches. It demonstrates how religious traditions, through their ethical visions, spiritual practices, social institutions, and cultural influence, contribute to rethinking humanity’s place in nature. The book also examines the potential of these traditions to generate more just, resilient, and sustainable responses to the planetary crisis.
A global and ınterdisciplinary handbook
Contributing authors explore major religious traditions such as Islam and Buddhism, as well as indigenous spiritualities and emerging religious movements. They show how faith-based perspectives, rituals, and community practices can guide sustainability efforts, environmental justice, and climate action.
The volume also brings together perspectives from environmental sciences, philosophy, sociology, theology, social work, and ethics, offering both theoretical depth and practical insights.
Drawing attention to a significant gap
The work highlights a critical gap often overlooked in environmental planning and policy: the cultural influence and organizational capacity of religions. It clearly demonstrates that religious communities, deeply rooted in local and global networks, can be powerful partners in combating climate change, protecting biodiversity, and preventing environmental degradation.
An essential reference for understanding the dimensions of environmental action
Designed for academics, policymakers, practitioners, and students, the Handbook on Religion and the Environment stands as an indispensable reference for anyone seeking to understand the moral, cultural, and social dimensions of environmental action in a religiously plural world.