Big Questions Big Answers Vol. 3 – Investigating Religion And The Environment
Theme: Investigating Religion And The Environment
The third volume in the Big Questions Big Answers series provides a variety of well-resourced, knowledge rich and inspiring strategies for teaching about the environment.
For younger pupils we focus on indigenous creation stories with many ideas for continuous provision and consider awe about nature and texts and beliefs from Judaism and Christianity about God. We also explore how festivals such as Christmas, Diwali and Eid-ul-Fitr can be more sustainable.
Through the book there is an exploration of the beliefs and actions of Christians, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs and Muslims around the environment. Disciplinary RE is explored with our theology and environmental science investigators and culminates in applying their knowledge to a real world case study.
Join here if you’re not a NATRE member or buy the book.
Select a topic to explore resources
- Investigator briefing: the environment
- What are stories of creation?
- Why do people think we should care for the Earth?
- Can religious festivals do more to keep the environment clean and the Earth safe?
- What do different religions believe about how we should treat the environment?
- What can we learn from theology and science about how to care for the Earth?
Charities which support environmental action (for Idea 1):
- ExternalFaith for the Climate
- ExternalGreenFaith
- ExternalTearfund
- ExternalA Rocha UK
- ExternalA Rocha International
- ExternalEcoSikh
- ExternalEcoIslam/Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (IFEES)
Eco places of worship (for Idea 2):
- ExternalCambridge Central Mosque
- ExternalEco Church
- ExternalEcoSynagogue
- ExternalGreen Mosque Projects
- ExternalPlastic Free Iftar
- External1.1 Teaching and learning approach
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 1: Investigator briefing
- Internal
Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 1: Investigator briefingIntroducing religious perspectives on environmental care, including stewardship, sustainability, and respect for creation.
Creation stories (including videos of each and downloadable resources for teachers) at The Big Myth
- ExternalBig Myth
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
Story-sorting cards
- Internal
Story-sorting cardsStory-sorting cards helping students categorize and reflect on religious stories related to the environment, promoting understanding of stewardship and creation. - Internal
Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 2: What are stories of creation?Examining creation stories from multiple religions, exploring their influence on beliefs about nature and environmental responsibility.
External links
Seeing the world from satellites in space:
- Externala clip showing speeded-up versions of daytime and night-time views from space
- Externalthe opening 1’20 of the Netflix series, Our Planet
Clips from the BBC’s Planet Earth:
- ExternalHigh-speed dolphins
- ExternalJungle growth
- ExternalAutumn colours
- ExternalPolar bears emerge
Information about water charities
- ExternalToilet Twinning
- ExternalWater Aid
Details of eco charities
- ExternalEco Church
- ExternalIFEES/EcoIslam
- ExternalReligious statements on caring for the Earth
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 3: Why do people think we should care for the Earth?
- Internal
Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 3: Why do people think we should care for the Earth?Exploring religious and secular reasons for caring for the Earth, focusing on stewardship and shared ethical responsibility.
eResources
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
PowerPoint presentation to support Activity 1: Can religious festivals do more to keep the environment clean and the Earth safe?
- Internal
Can religious festivals do more to keep the environment clean and the Earth safe? – PresentationExploration of the environmental impacts of religious festivals.
4.2 Big days for religions
- Internal
Big days for religionsOverview of significant religious days, exploring their meanings and community significance.
Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 4: Can religious festivals do more to keep the environment clean and the Earth safe?
- Internal
Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 4: Can religious festivals do more to keep the environment clean and the Earth safe?Discussing how religious festivals can promote environmental sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
eResources
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
PowerPoint presentation: What do different religions believe about how we should treat the environment?
- Internal
What do different religions believe about how we should treat the environment? – PresentationCompare religious views on environmental care, exploring how different faiths guide the stewardship of the Earth.
Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 5: What do different religions believe about how we should treat the environment?
- Internal
Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 5: What do different religions believe about how we should treat the environment?Exploring religious beliefs on environmental care, including stewardship, interconnectedness, and respect for nature.
eResources
- ExternalInvestigator profiles: Theology
- ExternalInvestigator profiles: Environmental science
- ExternalLead investigator photos: Dr Simeon (Theologian)
- ExternalLead investigator photos: Dr Alex (Environmental scientist)
- ExternalFilm clip: our environmental science expert Dr Alex Hall introduces the investigation task 'The dam and water turbine problem'
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
6.2 Spiral text interpretation exercise, 6 sheets
- Internal
Spiral text interpretation – EnvironmentA spiral text interpretation resource exploring religion and the environment, encourages aging students to examine how faiths approach environmental issues.
Pupil booklet: Investigating Religion and the Environment
- Internal
Investigating Religion and the Environment Pupil booklet (BQBA3)A pupil booklet exploring how religious teachings encourages age environmental responsibility and sustainability.
Investigating Religion and the Environment Unit 6: Multi-disciplinary RE
- Internal
Investigating Religion and the Environment Unit 6: Multi-disciplinary REExploring interdisciplinary approaches in RE that integrate theology, science, and environmental care.
Select a topic to explore resources
Investigator briefing: the environmentWhat are stories of creation?Why do people think we should care for the Earth?Can religious festivals do more to keep the environment clean and the Earth safe?What do different religions believe about how we should treat the environment?What can we learn from theology and science about how to care for the Earth?
Charities which support environmental action (for Idea 1):
- ExternalFaith for the Climate
- ExternalGreenFaith
- ExternalTearfund
- ExternalA Rocha UK
- ExternalA Rocha International
- ExternalEcoSikh
- ExternalEcoIslam/Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (IFEES)
Eco places of worship (for Idea 2):
- ExternalCambridge Central Mosque
- ExternalEco Church
- ExternalEcoSynagogue
- ExternalGreen Mosque Projects
- ExternalPlastic Free Iftar
- Internal1.1 Teaching and learning approach
Member Only Content
Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 1: Investigator briefing
- Internal Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 1: Investigator briefingIntroducing religious perspectives on environmental care, including stewardship, sustainability, and respect for creation.
Creation stories (including videos of each and downloadable resources for teachers) at The Big Myth
- ExternalBig Myth
Member Only Content
Story-sorting cards
- Internal Story-sorting cardsStory-sorting cards helping students categorize and reflect on religious stories related to the environment, promoting understanding of stewardship and creation.
- Internal Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 2: What are stories of creation?Examining creation stories from multiple religions, exploring their influence on beliefs about nature and environmental responsibility.
External links
Seeing the world from satellites in space:
- Externala clip showing speeded-up versions of daytime and night-time views from space
- Externalthe opening 1’20 of the Netflix series, Our Planet
Clips from the BBC’s Planet Earth:
- ExternalHigh-speed dolphins
- ExternalJungle growth
- ExternalAutumn colours
- ExternalPolar bears emerge
Information about water charities
- ExternalToilet Twinning
- ExternalWater Aid
Details of eco charities
- ExternalEco Church
- ExternalIFEES/EcoIslam
- ExternalReligious statements on caring for the Earth
Member Only Content
Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 3: Why do people think we should care for the Earth?
- Internal Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 3: Why do people think we should care for the Earth?Exploring religious and secular reasons for caring for the Earth, focusing on stewardship and shared ethical responsibility.
eResources
Member Only Content
PowerPoint presentation to support Activity 1: Can religious festivals do more to keep the environment clean and the Earth safe?
- Internal Can religious festivals do more to keep the environment clean and the Earth safe? – PresentationExploration of the environmental impacts of religious festivals.
4.2 Big days for religions
- Internal Big days for religionsOverview of significant religious days, exploring their meanings and community significance.
Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 4: Can religious festivals do more to keep the environment clean and the Earth safe?
- Internal Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 4: Can religious festivals do more to keep the environment clean and the Earth safe?Discussing how religious festivals can promote environmental sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
eResources
Member Only Content
PowerPoint presentation: What do different religions believe about how we should treat the environment?
- Internal What do different religions believe about how we should treat the environment? – PresentationCompare religious views on environmental care, exploring how different faiths guide the stewardship of the Earth.
Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 5: What do different religions believe about how we should treat the environment?
- Internal Investigating Religion and Environment Unit 5: What do different religions believe about how we should treat the environment?Exploring religious beliefs on environmental care, including stewardship, interconnectedness, and respect for nature.
eResources
- InternalInvestigator profiles: Theology
- InternalInvestigator profiles: Environmental science
- InternalLead investigator photos: Dr Simeon (Theologian)
- InternalLead investigator photos: Dr Alex (Environmental scientist)
- ExternalFilm clip: our environmental science expert Dr Alex Hall introduces the investigation task 'The dam and water turbine problem'
Member Only Content
6.2 Spiral text interpretation exercise, 6 sheets
- Internal Spiral text interpretation – EnvironmentA spiral text interpretation resource exploring religion and the environment, encourages aging students to examine how faiths approach environmental issues.
Pupil booklet: Investigating Religion and the Environment
- Internal Investigating Religion and the Environment Pupil booklet (BQBA3)A pupil booklet exploring how religious teachings encourages age environmental responsibility and sustainability.
Investigating Religion and the Environment Unit 6: Multi-disciplinary RE
- Internal Investigating Religion and the Environment Unit 6: Multi-disciplinary REExploring interdisciplinary approaches in RE that integrate theology, science, and environmental care.
