**1. Introduction**

Assuming that care for the environment is more than just a matter of technical adaptations, it is worthwhile to delve into the religions. Will they serve as an incentive to necessary changes in our dealing with creation, or are they tributary to our problems? We limit ourselves to the so-called Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This not because only these religions have something to contribute, but because of their similar basis in the creation story they can be treated together (without, incidentally, suggesting that their message as to creation is identical). In the course of our discourse, we will have occasion to side glance at other religions as well, although each religion would deserve a separate treatment.

First, we will deal with the religious perspective on the human being and on humankind, to continue with more specific religious notions of care for the environment.
