Communication and Environment; An Eco-Islamic Literacy Study
Keywords:
Eco-Islam, Environmental Communication, Ecotheology, Green Da’wah, Islamic NarrativeAbstract
The global environmental crisis demands a response that is not merely technocratic but also grounded in values and ethics rooted in religious traditions. This study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, guided by the PRISMA 2020 framework, to identify, evaluate, and synthesize the literature on Eco-Islam and environmental communication. From a corpus of 20 open-access journal articles meeting the inclusion criteria, this research addresses two central questions: how Eco-Islam is conceptualized and how its narratives are communicated. The findings indicate that Eco-Islam possesses a robust theological foundation based on the principles of Tawhid (cosmological unity), Khilafah (stewardship), and Amanah (divine trust), which are operationalized through Fiqh al-Bi'ah (environmental jurisprudence) and Maqasid al-Syariah (the higher objectives of Islamic law). The communicative dimension involves a complex ecosystem of actors-mainstream Muslim organizations, pesantren (Islamic boarding schools), mass media, youth activists, and indigenous communities-who utilize diverse channels, ranging from traditional-ritual to digital-modern, with varied framing strategies. However, the effectiveness of communication remains constrained by gaps in dual literacy (religious and environmental), fragmented authority, and the persistence of anthropocentric attitudes. This study concludes that while Eco-Islam holds significant potential as a transformative force, its realization requires strategic, multi-channel, and contextually sensitive communication. The principles of wasathiyyah (moderation) and cross-sectoral collaboration offer a pathway to bridging the gap between theological ideals and practical implementation. The theoretical implications include the development of a more epistemologically inclusive environmental communication theory, while the practical implications emphasize the organic integration of environmental issues into religious outreach (da’wah) and the empowerment of Muslim youth.
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