Preface
Today we are endangering life on Earth with unacceptably high and rising levels of greenhouse gas emissions. These gases are destabilizing the global climate change, heating the Earth, acidifying the oceans, and putting both humanity and all living creatures at unacceptable risk (Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change, 2010). It is needed to echo this issue again. The climate change is real problem and threat to human being.The main characteristics of climate change are increases in average of global temperature (global warming); changes in cloud cover and precipitation particularly overland; melting of ice caps and glaciers and reduced snowcover; and increases in ocean temperatures and oceanacidity – due to seawater absorbing heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (IPCC, 2007). 
 
The major impacts and threats of global warming are sea level rise and the increasing type, frequency and intensity of extreme events such as as tropical cyclones (including hurricanes and typhoons), floods, droughts and heavy precipitation events.

Climate change is no longer a myth. Scientists, especially environmentalists, remind that natural destruction is alarming. Global warming has resulted in an accumulative global damages in nature and has threatened the survival of human life and existence of species. It further brings about political problems and sovereignty of nations. Significant decrease of crop production and water shortage caused by weather anomaly are likely to make people in many part of the globe suffer from famine and food sustainability. As a consequence of escalating sea level, many part of the land has a permanent flooding that increase salt concentration of water which may extinction of certain species and agricultural production. Some island countries in Pacific and Indian Ocean might sink and disappear from the world map. Environmental deterioration has no doubt become a real problem from the survival of this earthly life.

The Way Forward
What can be done to rehabilitate the damaged nature or at least to slow down the deterioration?

From religious points of view, we need to have new perspectives on nature through reinterpretation of religious texts. This is based on the argument that human behavior is directed by their belief and religious understanding. We need a shifting paradigm from conservative theological dogmatism to progressive stand point. According to conservative understanding, nature as a creation of God is provided to fulfill and serve human whereby nature is seen as an “object”. To some extend this understanding lead to over exploitation of nature. 

Nowadays, we need to change our view to nature as a “subject”. Nature is not “a thing” but “a living creature” that has its own psyche and behavior directly affects human life. Of course, human being can still benefit from the nature while managing its conservation.
Changing modern life style that is devastative to nature. Global warming is caused by excessive use of vehicle, air conditioner, spray perfume, refrigerator, green houses, etc. This changing includes reduction of plastic usage and other materials hazardous to nature. Since the usage of so called modern equipment is inevitable, what is urgent is how to develop new technology that is environmentally friendly. Such as the production of electricity cars, non CFC refrigerator and air conditioner as well as green building construction. It is urgent to develop innovation technology for alternative renewable energy resources.

Reforestation for rehabilitation and conservation of rain forest as the lung of the world. As a result of wood-based industry rain forest has been seriously damage but no significant action has been taken by industrial countries. Commitment from developed countries on carbon trade is still questionable. Morally, “those who have food have to wash the dishes” not otherwise.

For the future of human life and the survival nature, we need to have a joint cooperation between faith groups, policy makers, scientists, business people and all societies. There are possibilities to explore meaningful well-grounded interfaith cooperation at local, national, regional, or even international level. It is the time to educate “green generation” through eco-education, eco-city, eco-culture and the like. For the future of our generation, we need to manage the impact of climate change by changing our vision on the nature, behavior or life style, state and world policy on environment and developing green technology. The world sustainability is the responsibility of all. It is our religious and humanity calling. Before it is too late, why don’t we start now? 

Therefore, sharing responsibility becomes a compelling duty as no one individual, organization including faith-based organizations, can work alone.  Partnership with other faiths and sectors becomes crucial for addressing the impact of climate change.

An Islamic Perspective
Islam presents a solid-clear understanding of environment and climate change. It also brings about strong imperatives for the Muslims and  human beings at large to restore ecological collapse and accumulative global damage.

There are about 800 verses out of the 6666 verses of the Holy Qur'an urged human beings to reflect on creaction, nature, and environment, as well as to perform their responsibility for maintaining equilibrium on earth and to make justice in the relationship between human being and other living organisms.

Islam is described in the Qur'an as a religion of nature. God The Almighty has stated "Therefore, orient yourself, with all die sincererity and uprightness towards the natural religion; this is consistent with the nature He (God) had created in humankind. Never will there be any change in that nature, this is the straight  way. However, most human beings realize it not".

Islam views that the world and all that there is in it is created by God, the Creator. According to the Qur'an "to Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. To Him belong what is in the heavens and on the Earth, and all between them and all beneath the soil". Thus, human beings, according to the Qur'an, do not own the nature or environment, they only borrow it from God and owe it from the next generations. A true believer, thus, should maintain and respect the sacredness of nature by maintaining the balance. The Qur'an beautifully described: "The Merciful. He has taught the Qur'an. He has created human being. He has taught him elocution. The sun and the moon flow along in their established orbits. The stars and trees recline humbly in prostration. He has raised aloft the firmament of the sky and established the balance. Therefore, cheat not in maintaining the balance. Establish just measure and do not fall short in maintaining the balance".

Based on those scriptural imperatives, Muslim scholars have formulated some Islamic ethical principles with regard to environment and climate change: 
1. Nature is sacred. 
2.The biodiversity have inherent, ecological and utility values for humankind both as spiritual sustenance and material resource (Al-Baqarah: 21-22, and Ibrahim: 32-34).
3. Nature has been created in order, balance and with extraordinary aesthetic beauty (Al-An'am: 38).
4. Human beings are members of  the community of nature.
5. Humankind comprises trustees and vicegerents of God on Earth.
6. Humankind's rights over nature are rights of sustainable use, of usufruct, based on moderation, balance, and conservation; with a similar and equal right for future generations.
7. Nature's rights over humankind include the rights of protection from misuse, degradation, and destruction.
8. All patterns of man's production and consumption should be based on an overall order and balance of nature. The rights of humankind are not absolute and unlimited.
9. To prevent the appearance and emergence of corruption in ecosystem,  to prevent corruption on Earth, is one of the primary responsibilities of all believers.

Concluding Remarks
For the future of human life and the survival nature, we need to have a joint cooperation between faith groups, policy makers, scientists, business people and all societies. There are possibilities to explore meaningful well-grounded interfaith cooperation at local, national, regional, or even international level. It is the time to educate “green generation” through eco-education, eco-city, eco-culture and the like. 

For the future of our generation, we need to manage the impact of climate change by changing our vision on the nature, behavior or life style, state and world policy on environment and developing green technology. The world sustainability is the responsibility of all. It is our religious and humanity calling. Before it is too late, why don’t we start now? 

Therefore, sharing responsibility becomes a compelling duty as no one individual, organization including faith-based organizations, can work alone.  Partnership with other faiths and sectors becomes crucial for addressing the impact of climate change.

M. Din Syamsuddin Chairman of Advisory Council of Indonesia’ Movement to Save The Earth (SiagaBumi)