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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.