The essence of Islamic teachings is that the entire universe is God's creation.
Humanity is the most special creation because humans alone have the power to think and reason.
This means that in Islam people can be a powerful force for good or sink to the very depths of wrongdoing. Humanity's role is that of Khalifa , which means a Vice-Regent or Trustee of God, on earth. Humans are not masters of the earth, but are entrusted by God with its safekeeping. Muslims, who number over one and a quarter billion worldwide, were among the original group of five major faiths to commit, during a 1986 Assisi Conference to a network of religions linking faith and conservation. In actual fact, many Islamic environmental initiatives have been carried out by Muslim countries which results in the government, rather than the faith getting the credit.