“On the Repealing of the Clean Power Plan” Statement from Islamic Society of North America

The Climate Action Task Force of the Parliament of the World’s Religions is composed of Board Trustees and representatives of faith-based and interfaith organizations who are actively engaged in the movement to protect and enhance environmental standards as stated in the Parliament’s Interfaith Call for Action on Climate Change and more broadly, the organizational mission of achieving a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world.

The CATF wishes to highlight the contribution in this effort of CATF member Saffet A. Catovic in the development and promotion of the recent statement of the Islamic Society of North America in response to the United States Environmental Protection Agency proposed repeal of the Clean Energy Plan. Catovic, a Board Member of ISNA’s Green Masjid Task Force, also wishes for organized faith and interfaith groups to participate in sharing the statement and learning about the commitments of Islamic organizations to protect our natural home.

ON THE REPEALING OF CLEAN POWER PLAN
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) finds the decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan goes against the mission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which is to protect people and the environment. Deregulating the energy industry will lead to an increase in carbon emissions which will adversely affect the most vulnerable among us, disrupt the booming renewable energy industry, and create market uncertainty for the energy sector.
In Islam, we are directed in the Quran “to walk softly on the earth” (25:63). This is a call from scripture for us to adopt a healthy and wholesome low-impact sustainable lifestyle characterized by reducing our carbon footprint. Addressing climate change by reducing our carbon footprint is a moral responsibility as caretakers, stewards, and guardians of the earth.
ISNA’s Green Masjid Taskforce has made protecting our environment a priority. Last year, ISNA became the first national Muslim organization to divest from fossil fuels as a step toward reducing our carbon footprint. It’s essential that we continue to work toward solutions that acknowledge the devastating impact of human-induced climate change, invest in existing alternatives that generate energy and jobs, and support sensible regulation like the Clean Power Plan that include coal as a diminishing part of our nation’s energy mix.
We encourage cities and states to continue to forge ahead with sensible solutions. Local communities as a collective can have an even greater impact than federal regulation, and we remain hopeful that their actions will help safeguard a clean and prosperous planet for all of God’s creation.

This statement was published originally to ISNA.net
Image: Wikipedia