Causes of Climate Change: A Neglected Dimension

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most disturbing challenges faced by humankind due to the profound threat it poses to human life and livelihood, affecting almost every aspect of life negatively. A comprehensive grasp of the causes of climate change is imperative for effective mitigation strategies. However, the most prevalent causes of climate change are advanced within the Western scientific perspective. This article aims to provide a cross-cultural comparison between the Islāmic and Western scientific perspectives on the causes of climate change. Based on the review of scientific literature and other relevant documents, the article argues that both the Islāmic and the secular perspectives on the impacts of climate change are in accord. However, the causes of climate change extend beyond the material scientific explanation. The mischief and sins of human beings on earth are fundamental causes that should not be ignored. The article concludes that mitigation efforts will remain one-sided unless these two dimensions of human activities are perceived as the causes of climate change.