The Causes of Climate Change
Key Takeaways
In order to solve climate change, we must understand its causes. The leading cause of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels for energy, which contributes around 70% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Other leading causes include the global food system and animal agriculture, our fossil fuel-reliant transportation system, mass deforestation, and excessive consumerism.
These causes, such as overconsumption or deforestation, stand in sharp contrast to Islam’s prescribed way of life. All of us have a responsibility to oppose these causes and the behaviors that strengthen them.
Climate change is real – the data is crystal clear on this.
While the climate of the world has always fluctuated throughout its existence, the leading climate scientists in the world agree that the rapid changes it has undergone in recent times are a result of human activity.
What is needed in the world is a dramatic change in the way we live and conduct ourselves as a species. A major part in this has to be played by us Muslims, not least because we constitute around one-fifth of the global population, but also because it constitutes a religious duty in Islam as Khulafah (caretakers) of the Earth.
The Qur’an calls on us to compete with one another in doing good.[1] One of the greatest forms of doing good, considering our present times, is protecting the environment. We’ve deviated far from Islam’s prescribed sustainable lifestyle, and the destructive effects are all around us.
But to solve something, we must first understand its underlying causes. Let’s explore the causes of climate change, and see how our actions have led us to where we are today.
The Burning of Fossil Fuels
Among the causes of climate change, this is the most well-known. And rightly so, as the burning of fossil fuels for energy is the primary cause of climate change across the globe, contributing around 70% of all GHG emissions.
We burn fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas to generate the electricity powering our homes, workplaces, and industries, as well as supporting our transportation system.
The burning of these fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O), into the atmosphere. These gases give rise to the Greenhouse Effect – the heat that enters the Earth’s atmosphere from the Sun is naturally absorbed into the Earth’s surface but is not allowed to re-radiate out of the atmosphere because it is trapped by the GHGs. This, in turn, raises the average temperature of the Earth.
These greenhouse gases are extremely harmful as they can remain in the atmosphere for hundreds of years. With our global system being as reliant as it is on fossil fuels, there is no easy solution to this situation. However, it is clear that a drastic change is required in our lifestyles to prevent further harm.
The Global Food System
In sharp contrast to the first, this one is rather less known. Our global food industry accounts for over a quarter (26%) of all GHG emissions and is one of the leading causes of climate change.
The overwhelming majority of these emissions are due to animal products.
Image by: Our World in Data
In addition to GHG emissions, animal agriculture contributes to the overwhelming usage of scarce resources such as water (just one pound of beef requires close to 2,000 gallons of water – enough water to fill 39 bathtubs!), as well as the destruction of forests around the globe (more on this below).
This insatiable desire for animal products is not only destroying the planet, it is also contrary to the way of the Prophet (SAW) and his loved ones. The Prophet (SAW) himself rarely ate meat, and the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), is reported to have said:
Our Transportation System
The global transportation system is heavily reliant on the burning of fossil fuels and, therefore, accounts for around 21% of global GHG emissions.
Among the total emissions from the transport system, passenger road travel (cars, motorbikes, buses) accounts for most of these emissions, contributing around 45%. Aviation contributes around 11.6%, with factors such as the rise of global tourism playing a key role. It is expected that tourism-related CO2 emissions will increase to around 2 million tonnes by the year 2030.
Destruction of Forests
Up to 15 billion trees are being cut down annually around the world. This is incredibly dangerous as when trees are cut down, they release the greenhouse gases stored in them.
The loss of forests is thus one of the major causes of climate change, contributing to around 10% of all global warming. This is not sustainable for human or animal life.
Our ever-expanding agricultural system is the major driver of global deforestation, with millions of hectares of forests being cleared annually to raise livestock, grow crops, and produce paper.
This global mass deforestation is harming our planet and is a blatant violation of the Prophet’s (SAW) injunctions, which forbade the unnecessary cutting of trees[2], and instead encouraged his followers to plant them:
Overconsumption
The consumerist lifestyle prevalent across the globe lies at the heart of the climate crisis. This lifestyle is marked by overconsumption of mostly nonessential ‘luxury products’. The production, packaging, usage, and later disposal of these products play a key role in climate change.
Take the fashion industry, for instance, which accounts for about 8-10% of all our carbon emissions. That’s more than the emissions from all flights and shipments combined! In addition, the fashion industry adds to global pollution and contributes to water scarcity, using around 93 billion cubic meters of water annually – enough to meet the needs of five million people.
Similarly, industrial activity, such as production and packaging, which is necessary to fulfill the excessive demand for products, also leads to a host of issues, including the release of GHGs and toxic materials into the atmosphere, excessive pollution, increased health risks, and threats to biodiversity.
This consumerist lifestyle stands in sharp contrast to the life of the Prophet (SAW), who would make do with little possessions, repair and reuse his items, such as clothing[3], and inform his followers that:
It’s Time to Change our Ways
Now that we’re aware of the causes of climate change, it is time to change our ways. If you’re wondering what you can do to help the environment, read our piece on the five ways you can help mitigate climate change.
And if you’re ready to spread the word and inspire others to join the cause, check out Green Islam’s Advocacy Tool-kit.
[1] So compete with one another in doing good deeds. – Qur’an (5:48)
[2] Unless you are compelled, do not cut down a tree! – Prophet Muhammad (SAW) (Wasa’il al-Shi’a, Volume 11, pp. 43, 44.)
[3] Hisham said, "I asked 'A'isha, 'What did the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, do in his house?' She replied, 'He did what one of you would do in his house. He mended sandals and patched garments and sewed." (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, 540)
