By The ISNA Green Initiative Team
Jul/Aug 26
God has ordained that humans establish Mizan on the planet — the balance that He has embedded in all creation — commanding them to uphold justice, including justice toward the environment. The Quran states, “And He has raised up the heaven and set the balance, that you may not transgress in the balance. And establish justice and do not make deficient the balance” (55:7-9).
However, human activities have led to more imbalance than the earth can sustain. Human interference with the natural world during the post-industrial era is unparalleled. The nature, scale, and pace of human-induced changes are visible in almost every ecosystem. Pollutants in the stratosphere, deforestation in the Amazon, extreme weather events, widespread fires, and severe droughts occurring at alarming levels are all examples of climate change. Reversing these trends requires sustainable solutions.
The consumption of fossil fuels and the excessive use of non-renewable resources are among the most obvious causes of climate change. The annex of the G7 Leaders’ Declaration of June 8, 2015 states, “U.S. and global consumption of materials increased rapidly during the last century. Global raw material use during the 20th century rose at about twice the rate of population growth. For every one percent increase in gross domestic product, raw material use increased by 0.4 percent. This increasing consumption has come at a cost to the environment, including habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, overly stressed fisheries, and desertification.”
There is worldwide concern about sustainability. And yet, actions taken at governmental and non-governmental levels are insufficient. Sustainability demands a multitude of solutions like the development and production of sustainable products.
On a global scale, progress can be accelerated through partnerships between governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Many nonprofits provide financial support for the development of sustainable products. Recently, the Bezos Earth Fund awarded a $10 million grant to Berkeley professor Ting Xu to lead a team of scientists in creating a biodegradable protein-based fabric given that textile manufacturing is responsible for roughly 80% of the fashion industry’s environmental footprint.
Principles of Sustainability
The most cited definition of sustainability comes from the 1987 report from the United Nations’ Brundtland Commission: “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Sustainability involves balancing environmental, social, and economic factors to create and maintain conditions in which humans and nature can coexist harmoniously.
Generally, the principles of sustainability are described using the following three core concepts:
- Environmental: Protecting natural resources, preserving ecosystems, reducing waste, and minimizing pollution to ensure that the planet can continue to support life.
- Social: Promoting well-being, social justice, equity, and healthy communities for all, both now and in the future.
- Economic: Ensuring that economic activities remain viable in the long term by balancing profitability with environmental protection and social responsibility. This also includes efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger and combat inequality.
Innovations in Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is a gradual process. It needs the availability and responsible use of resources, technological advancement, and institutional reforms along with the consideration of both present and future needs. It also requires governmental support, especially from countries that produce fossil fuel-based consumer products.
Bio-based products are examples of products derived from plants, agricultural materials, trees, and other renewable resources. If managed ethically and sustainably, these can help reduce the effects of climate change. Products such as wood, pulp, biomass, and hemp can replace conventional resources currently used in construction, energy generation, plastics, furniture, and many other industries. This transition can help create a greener economy. At present, research and development efforts are accelerating globally to create commercially viable, sustainable bioproducts. Once commercially produced at large scale, these renewable resources could serve as alternatives to unsustainable materials such as plastics, petroleum, and fossil fuels.
For example, bamboo, an attractive resource for sustainable materials, is fast-growing and highly versatile. Researchers at Northeast Forestry University in China have created a bioplastic that rivals traditional plastics in strength and durability. Researchers say that this bamboo-based plastic has exceptional mechanical properties that may lead to widespread industrial applications.
A study published in Microbial Cell Factories by researchers at Australia’s Monash University highlighted the potential of a new type of biodegradable plastic created by converting waste sugars into polyhydroxyalkanoates biopolymers. By selecting different bacterial strains and blending their polymers, researchers produced sustainable, compostable ultrathin films that behave like conventional plastics. These materials can also be molded into other shapes and solid forms.
The German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space funded the “Biotexfuture” initiative to support the transformation of bio-based product research into commercial products. Through the Bioeconomy Innovation Spaces’ funding concept, they aim to advance bioeconomy research and drive the transition toward a sustainable, biobased economy.
In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Takuzo Aida at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science in Japan reported the development of a new type of plastic made from plant cellulose, the world’s most abundant organic compound. This new plastic is strong, flexible, and capable of rapid decomposition in natural environments. The material can reportedly degrade in salt water within several hours without leaving behind microplastics.
According to a study published in Chem Circulatory on April 30, a robust yet environmentally friendly alternative to plastic packaging has been developed from hemp. This non-toxic plastic alternative is a stretchy thermoplastic capable of expanding up to 1,600% of its original size. It also has a high “glass transition temperature,” a property that allows plastics to remain durable even when exposed to boiling water.
A large mushroom farm near Nairobi, Kenya grows fungi on an industrial scale to produce building materials. The farm produces mycelium — the root structure of mushrooms to manufacture sustainable construction materials. The company MycoTile claims this material is more sustainable than conventional brick and mortar. By combining mycelium with natural fibers and binding agents, the company creates panels that can be used for roof and wall insulation as well as interior décor, at a fraction of the cost of traditional clay bricks. The company is currently producing approximately 32,300 square feet of these materials each month.
From Research to Market
It is encouraging that there is a worldwide search for products that can be produced using renewable materials. But the success of these products depends on their commercial viability and affordability. Current research, development, and investment efforts have already resulted in the availability of sustainable products in packaging, textiles and fashion, construction, electronics and energy, home and personal care, and the automotive industry.
The following are examples of commercially available sustainable materials and products*:
- SoyFoam™: A firefighting foam made from soybeans.
- Treekind: A plant-based alternative to leather made from fallen leaves and algae-based binders.
- Recinder: Self-glazing tiles made from recycled ceramic and ash.
- Ecofoam: Recycled polyurethane foam used for sustainable building applications.
Sustainable consumer products are now available in many categories. The following are among the top products frequently mentioned in the literature:
- Compostable phone cases
- Reusable cotton swabs
- Reusable bags
- Plant-based meat products
- Refillable containers
- Plant-based fibers
- Kitchen composters
- Smart thermostats
As more sustainable products become available at competitive prices with non-renewable alternatives while remaining viable in the long term. Such products can protect natural resources, preserve ecosystems, reduce waste, and minimize pollution, thereby ensuring that the planet can continue to support life.
As always, ISNA cares deeply about our responsibility as caretakers of this planet. Through its Green Initiative, ISNA continues to advocate for environmental sustainability. For Muslims, sustainability should be regarded as an integral part of faith rather than merely an option. We urge everyone to join us in fulfilling this responsibility.
*The names of these products are mentioned as examples and do not constitute an endorsement.
The ISNA Green Initiative Team is composed of Huda Alkaff, Saffet Catovic, Nana Firman, Uzma Mirza, and S. Masroor Shah (Chair).
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