The Environment & Animal Rights
Use & Abuse of the Environment
The environment faces serious threats from human activity. Pollution of air, water and land damages ecosystems and harms human health. Climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, threatens the future of the planet. Religious believers see protecting the environment as a moral duty.
The use of natural resources such as oil, gas, coal, water and timber is essential for modern life. However, many of these resources are finite — they will eventually run out. Religious teachings call on humans to use resources responsibly, not wastefully.
Christians believe in stewardship — caring for creation on God’s behalf. Genesis 2:15 says God placed humans in the Garden of Eden “to work it and take care of it.” Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’ (2015) described the earth as “our common home” and called for urgent action on climate change and pollution.
Muslims believe humans are khalifah (caretakers) of the earth. The Qur’an (6:165) says: “It is He who has made you successors upon the earth.” Wasting resources is considered wrong. The Prophet Muhammad taught: “Do not waste water even if you are at a running stream.” Muslims believe they will be accountable to Allah on the Day of Judgement for how they treated the environment.
Many religious organisations actively campaign for environmental protection. Christian organisations like A Rocha work on conservation projects worldwide. The Church of England has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Islamic Relief has environmental programmes addressing deforestation and water pollution. The Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change (2015) urged Muslims to take action based on their role as khalifah. These responses show that religious environmental teaching is not just theoretical — it drives real-world action.
Use & Abuse of Animals
Humans use animals in many ways: for food, clothing, medical research, entertainment and companionship. Religious traditions have varying views on how animals should be treated and whether these uses are morally acceptable.
Both Christianity and Islam teach that animals are part of God’s creation and should be treated with respect. However, most religious traditions accept that humans have a higher status than animals. Genesis 1:28 gives humans dominion (authority) over animals. The Qur’an says Allah “subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and on the earth” (45:13).
Animal Experimentation
Animal experimentation involves testing medicines, treatments or products on animals. This is one of the AQA “contrasting beliefs” topics — you must be able to explain different religious views.
In favour: Many Christians accept animal experimentation if it is necessary to save human lives or reduce suffering. Humans have dominion over animals (Genesis 1:28) and are uniquely made in God’s image. The Catholic Church teaches that animal experimentation is morally acceptable “if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives.”
Against: Some Christians, particularly Quakers, oppose animal experimentation because it causes unnecessary suffering. They argue that stewardship means protecting all of God’s creatures. Proverbs 12:10 says: “The righteous care for the needs of their animals.” The RSPCA was founded by an Anglican clergyman, reflecting Christian concern for animal welfare.
In favour (with conditions): Some Muslim scholars permit animal experimentation if it is genuinely necessary for medical advances and there is no alternative. Saving human life is a high priority in Islam: “Whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity” (Qur’an 5:32) — a Qur’anic verse that records a ruling originally given to the Children of Israel, though Islamic scholars widely apply this life-sanctity principle universally.
Against: Islam generally opposes unnecessary harm to animals. The Prophet Muhammad said: “If anyone wrongfully kills even a sparrow, he will have to answer for it on the Day of Judgement.” Animals are part of Allah’s creation and deserve compassion. Causing pain for cosmetic testing or trivial purposes is considered haram (forbidden).
The Use of Animals for Food
Both Christianity and Islam allow eating meat, but both have rules about how animals should be treated. Christians have no specific dietary laws (Jesus declared all foods clean in Mark 7:19), though many Christians choose to eat less meat or become vegetarian out of concern for animal welfare and the environment.
Islam requires that meat be halal (permissible). Animals must be slaughtered humanely in the name of Allah, with a sharp knife to minimise suffering. Pork is haram. The Qur’an (5:3) lists forbidden foods. These rules reflect Islam’s teaching that animals should be treated with respect even when used for food.
Non-religious perspectives on animal rights are also important. The philosopher Peter Singer argues that animals have the capacity to suffer and therefore deserve moral consideration. Vegetarians and vegans often argue that it is wrong to use animals for food when plant-based alternatives exist. Animal rights organisations like the RSPCA campaign against factory farming and animal cruelty.