Faith and ecological responsibility: reimagining religion’s role in environmental justice

Religion and environmental sociology converge at a crucial interdisciplinary moment, where spiritual traditions are increasingly recognized as active agents in addressing the planetary crisis. Historically, religion was confined to metaphysical domains, leaving the stewardship of the natural world to secular science and governance. However, recent sociological and theological research highlights religious institutions as key stakeholders in environmental preservation. Scholars such as Grim et al. (2013) have underscored the moral and ethical frameworks embedded in faith traditions that complement scientific perspectives and foster community-driven ecological consciousness. Despite a growing awareness, religious engagement with environmental issues remains fragmented, often constrained by the traditional dichotomy between the sacred and the profane. A deeper integration of theology, spirituality, and sustainability is needed to shape a coherent and actionable response to ecological degradation.This Research Topic aims to investigate how religious beliefs, institutions, and practices can transform global and local responses to climate change and environmental decay. It seeks to move the study of religion and environment beyond descriptive discussions into applied, solution-driven models of faith-based ecological activism. The goal is to analyze how religious worldviews, ethical teachings, and ritual practices can mitigate climate challenges, inspire policy advocacy, and reshape human attitudes toward creation. Key questions include how sacred narratives reinterpret human “dominion” over nature, the extent to which faith communities can catalyze behavioral change, and how theological education and clerical practices can incorporate climate ethics as part of moral and pastoral responsibility.To gather further insights into the sociological and theological boundaries of faith-based environmental action, we welcome interdisciplinary submissions that analyze conceptual frameworks, case studies, and theoretical reformulations. Contributions may explore historical, cultural, or ecological dimensions of this dialogue.Themes may include, but are not limited to:- The de-sacralisation of sacred places through mining and development activities- The role of taboos, totemic animals, and plants in promoting ecological balance- Urbanization, industrialization, and the erosion of sacred ecologies- Wetlands, burial grounds, and spiritual geographies under pressure from resettlement policies- The interplay between capitalism, science, and environmental justice- African Traditional Religions and Indigenous knowledge in shaping global climate responses- Theological reinterpretations of dominion and stewardship narratives in scripture- Liberation theology and ecological justice in the Global South Topic editors: Nomatter Sande, John Ringson Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82825/faith-and-ecological-responsibility-reimagining-religions-role-in-environmental-justice