FOREWORD
Dr. Iyad Abumoghli
It is a deep honor to offer these words in introduction to this powerful and timely volume. I have had the privilege of witnessing how the convergence of religious and ecological worldviews can shape the future of our planet. This issue of The New Ecozoic Reader carries that spirit forward with remarkable clarity and courage.
The concept of the “Ecozoic”, first articulated by the cultural historian Thomas Berry, calls for a profound transformation in our relationship with the Earth. It invites us to imagine and build a future in which human societies live in harmony with the larger community of life. For us at Faith for Earth, Berry’s vision has been a source of enduring inspiration. Our own vision is one of “a world where everything is in balance,” a world achieved through genuine cooperation and partnership with faith leaders and communities, grounded in the collective pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.
This volume reminds us that we are not alone in this work. From diverse traditions and disciplines, the authors gathered here give voice to the spiritual, ethical, and cultural frameworks that have long shaped, and can now regenerate, human–nature relationships. They show that ecology is not just a matter of policy or science, but of story, meaning, ritual, and responsibility, and that lasting solutions lie in bridging the science–policy–spirituality nexus.
What makes this collection unique is its honesty about the complexity of our moment. In a time when nationalism often undermines multilateral cooperation, the essays affirm a shared planetary ethic rooted in interdependence. They do not shy away from the contradictions or tensions in our traditions but rather draw on them as sources of creativity and renewal. They urge us to reimagine not just how we live on Earth, but who we are on Earth.
The Ecozoic era is not a destination we will one day reach, it is a path we are called to walk together. That path begins with listening deeply to the voices gathered in these pages.
With deep gratitude to all who contributed, and with hope for the work ahead,
Dr. Iyad Abumoghli
Director, Faith for Earth Coalition
United Nations Environment Programme