Sharing Eden, a handbook to sustainable living

 Jews, Christians and Muslims unite to protect the environment

Leading UK Jewish, Christian and Muslim environmentalists have come together to launch Sharing Eden – a unique handbook that uses the teachings of the Abrahamic faiths to encourage a greener lifestyle for all.

As the Dalai Lama emphasised in his recent prayer service at Westminster, religious people must “take responsibility for the environment.” With more than 45 million* self-identifying Jews, Christians and Muslims in the UK, driving more sustainable living in these communities, as well as further afield, could make a significant positive impact on our environment.

Editor Lindsay Swan explains: “Sharing Eden is a remarkable example of interfaith collaboration to reach a common goal – a more sustainable future for all. The authors’ aim, as well as to build bridges between often-differing faiths, is to throw a green light on age-old traditions and practices. They provide clear, easy-to-follow advice on how we can all do our share to protect the Earth, whether we have a faith or not.”

The introductory handbook combines beautiful and enlightening texts from each faith’s religious teachings and worship to address some of the most prominent environmental issues faced today, such as waste, climate change and biodiversity. Drawing from both scripture and personal experience, each author brings a contemporary focus to the eternal challenge of caring for the Earth. The authors also hope to encourage further collaborative efforts and stimulate public awareness and debate on the book’s topics.

The book is published jointly by The Conservation Foundation and Kube Publishing and is available to buy from KubePublishing.com, Amazon.co.uk, and Waterstones.com (RRP: £4.99). For further information, please visit www.sharingeden.org.

* Data from 2009-10 Citizenship Survey: Race, Religion and Equalities Topic Report www.communities.gov.uk

The Authors:

Natan Levy has been Rabbi of Shenley United Jewish Community for four years. He is the Environmental Liaison for the Chief Rabbi’s Office and the Rabbinical Expert for the London School of Jewish Studies’ Responsibility Unit. From 2005 to 2008 he served as the Jewish Campus Chaplain for the southwest of England. Born and educated in America, he is passionately concerned with issues of environmental justice and global morality.

Harfiyah Haleem is a trustee of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (IFEES). She is also the editor of a collection of essays on Islam and the Environment and co-editor of the Muslim Green Guide to Reducing Climate Change. She works with people of all ages, delivering talks and workshops on sustainability to schools and universities.

David Shreeve is the Director of The Conservation Foundation, which he co-founded in 1982, and the Environmental Adviser to the Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. He has co-authored two Anglican books, “How many lightbulbs does it take to change a Christian?” and “Don’t stop at the lights.” He was awarded a Lambeth Degree in 2003 in recognition of his influence in helping the Church’s understanding of environmental issues.