TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Environmental practices have been a part of Islamic boarding schools, known as pesantren, for a long time. Recently, these efforts have gained more attention as climate change and environmental issues intensify. We see the signs everywhere: rising temperatures, extreme weather, and poorer air and water quality. These factors pressure the environment more than ever due to human actions.
Pesantren, home to millions of santri (students), play a key role in promoting ecological awareness. Simple activities like waste management, conserving water, using clean energy, and planting trees are becoming common. These practices empower students to protect the environment.
Education in pesantren influences students’ characters and habits, which they carry with them into the wider world. Teachings in these schools stress humanity’s role as khalifah, or caretakers of the earth, a concept rooted in the Qur’an and supported by hadith and classical texts, often referred to as kitab kuning. The idea of taharah, or cleanliness, also guides environmentally friendly initiatives at pesantren. Thus, these actions are not just social choices; they reflect deep moral and religious values.
Recent data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs reveals there are 42,435 pesantren with over 4.6 million students as of 2024. While not every school practices eco-friendly methods, initiatives are growing. Programs like ecopesantren and green pesantren deal with waste management, energy needs, and other local environmental challenges. This shift often arises directly from the struggles pesantren face.
Moreover, a study by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) in early 2023 highlighted that about 60% of pesantren incorporate sustainability practices in their curriculum. This reflects a broader trend where educational institutions worldwide are actively addressing environmental issues, fostering a generation of students who are more aware and responsible. As hashtags like #EcoPesantren trend on social media, it shows a rising interest among young people eager to engage in environmental action, making the concept highly relevant and impactful in contemporary discourse.
In this context, pesantren are not just traditional schools; they are emerging as crucial players in the fight for a sustainable future.
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Pesantren, Islamic Boarding School, Environment, Climate Change
