Updated 4 May 2010
When human beings walk through the Earth they leave footprints behind. Each footprint is a unique stamp of the individual, causing change in the structure of things around the person. The marks made by the footprints remain forever etched on the Earth and the wind and water that blow over it only cover that which cannot be erased. The impact of these marks remain long after the individual has departed from the world. When talking about walking on Earth Almighty Allah says: The servants of the Beneficent, those who walk gently on Earth . .. (25:63) Walking gently has been interpreted by Mufassireen as meaning a physical walk that treads lightly on Earth and a lifestyle that is humble and gentle.
Our Ecological walking style should also be light and gentle. Each one of us has an ecological footprint, the size of which depends on the demands we make of Nature. It measures how much land and water area we require to produce the resources we consume and to absorb the waste we produce. Many countries in today's world are running ecological deficits with footprints too large to be sustained biologically. The implications of these deficits can be devastating, resulting in loss of resources, collapse of the ecosystem, debt, poverty, famine . . . This type of corruption of the natural system due to the greed of man is referred to in the Holy Quran: Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of the doings of the people's hands . . . (30:41)
Individually, and collectively as a community, there is much we can do to decrease the size of our ecological footprint. It is a serious matter which needs careful thought and planning. It means a change in lifestyle and the giving up of conveniences which we have become accustomed to. It means a return to old fashioned way of doing things, a conscious choice of living simply and making do with less. We need to live an examined life, one in which we determine what is important and enough, and discard the rest. There is compelling evidence that human beings are exceeding the earth's ability to regenerate resources, and there has to be a shift in our lives. This is not only to avoid an imminent calamity but also to avoid being of those who abuse and waste the resources provided by the Almighty. Allah dislikes those who waste and He says: Do not squander wastefully, surely the wasteful are the brothers of Shaytan, and Shaytan was ungrateful to his Lord. (17:26-27)
The following are some simple but effective ways of reducing the size of your ecological footprint. These should become a part of every conscientious believer's lifestyle.
1) Carry a plastic mug with you. Every year more than 25 billion Styrofoam cups and 25 billion water bottles are discarded, languishing in landfills for generations to come. Instead of adding to that waste load, carry a reusable mug and/or water bottle.
2) Use fabric bags for shopping. Avoid usage of plastic bags except when necessary such as for lining garbage cans. Almost a staggering trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year and millions of these end up in the litter stream outside the landfills.
3) Spend less time in the shower. Reducing showering time by 2 minutes saves 10 galloons of water.
4) Use less paper. Over 300 galloons of water are used to produce every kg of paper.
5) Buy in bulk - avoid unnecessary packaging.
6) Clean without chemicals. Natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda clean well without harming the Earth.
7) Use compact fluorescent bulbs which use four times less energy.
8) Reduce usage of the dryer. Hang out clothes in the sun, or inside during cold weather and let clothes dry the old fashioned way. You will save the massive amount of energy used to operate the dryer, and your clothes will last longer too.
Many online sites show you how to measure the size of your ecological footprint. These sites also show the wide disparity in the footprints of the developed and the developing nations (Canada - 8.5, Iran - 1.8, India 0.7) and are glaring evidence of the excessive consumption of the richer nations. Check out these sites and measure your footprint. Make a conscious decision to respect the resources Allah has provided and show gratitude through appropriate usage. It is the only befitting response to the question God asks in the Quran after mentioning the favors He has created in Nature, Will they not then give thanks? (36:35)