Youth & the Environment
at the Top of Jordan's Agenda

By Laila Zafar and Andrea Fitzgerald, TG Magazine youth journalists

Queen Noor of Jordan addresses the IUCN Monday, regarding Jordan's role in sustaining the environment. One of her major concerns was youth involvement. Her majesty says that "youth is a priority". In Jordan, youth are becoming more and more involved in the environmental movement. For example, 500 nature clubs have been established in schools across the country. Conservation and the environment have been incorporated in the curriculum in schools.

Another way to get the message across is through the media, particularly television. In addition, through the Islamic religion and culture, an emphasis is being placed upon the preservation of the earth. Queen Noor believes that it is important that youth are becoming more involved with these issues and is a firm supporter of the involvement.

In Jordan, there are some major environmental problems facing the country in the present, including a high population growth rate resulting in over population and poverty, rapid urbanization which is resulting in chemical and industrial pollution, forestation and species control, to name a few.

Solutions have been implemented and things are starting to change. For example, six nature reserves have been established, with four more on the way, with the goal of protecting and managing biodiversity. An appropriate legislation has been created to monitor the environmental activity. They have established the National Institute for Protection of the Environment. It is here that strategies for environmental protection are designed and implemented.

Although Jordan is not known as one of the world's superpowers, it is reassuring to see that they are taking an initiative to environmental protection and preservation.