Preservation of the Environment by Smart Energy Consumption

Abstract

The rise in world energy consumption has caused an alarming shortage of fossil fuels and an increase in carbon emissions. It has also led to various environmental issues, especially climate change, which threaten humanity’s access to food, water, shelter, energy and health. The growth of the human population combined with rapid development has caused excessive carbon emissions, while the conventional ways of energy production and utilisation need serious reconsideration. This article, therefore, draws attention to the vital role that human beings, as vicegerents of the Earth (khalifah), have in managing natural resources. It highlights the pivotal position of humans in the world, as trustees who bear great responsibility for maintaining the natural environment. At the same time, this article also draws attention to the Islamic concept of moderation (wasatiyyah) and its practice to improve the consumption of resources by reducing wastage and pollution. The concept of moderation in the context of consuming natural resources is generally supported by the advancements in maqasid al-shariah (higher objectives of Islamic law) that have included the significance of environmental preservation This article also seeks to inform the development of Renewable Energy (RE) in the context of the Islamic concern for inclusive well-being. Several policy actions capable of promoting the concept of I’mar al-ard (building of the Earth) and smart energy consumption are proposed to address environmental issues in our policy recommendations towards the end.