Empowering Jordanian Youth in the face of Climate Change and Its Impacts on Human Mobility

Living in the Kingdom of Jordan as a Syrian refugee, I want to draw attention to the climate change impacts on human mobility in Jordan, and the role of youth as actors of change.  In this article, I will show how Jordanian youth are tackling climate these challenges and why their participation and leadership are vital for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals. Through this article, I aim to inspire collaborative efforts that protect the environment of vulnerable communities in Jordan.

Introduction

Jordan is famous for its tourism and natural attractions, making it a popular destination in the Middle East. However, climate pressure is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, water scarcity, rising temperatures, and significant threats to ecosystems and residents in all governorates of Jordan. Jordan is characterized by a Mediterranean and desert climate. Approximately 75% of precipitation falls during the winter. The dry Sirocco winds (Khamasin) also affect Jordan's climate, which could reportedly cause significant temperature changes as noted in the World Bank’s “Climate Knowledge Portal.”

World Bank estimates show that the number of "climate migrants" coming to Jordan is growing faster, rising from 2,206 arrivals in 2019. These figures illustrate how climate change impacts are getting more attention due to its impact on human movement patterns in and out of Jordan, with a particular focus on the movement from rural to urban areas. In this context, Jordanian youth are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change related mobility as it leads to unemployment, economic downturn and scarcity of basic resources.

Climate migration in Jordan 

Climate-induced migration is already a serious problem in Jordan, but it gets little attention. Looking ahead, by 2050, the proportion of the urban population within the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is expected to reach 80-95%, according to World Bank indicators. Climate migration in Jordan is a complex phenomenon driven by factors such as water scarcity, land degradation and urbanization. Rural areas face significant environmental challenges and lack of investment, prompting young people, to move to urban centers or neighboring countries in search of opportunities. This requires comprehensive interventions to address the unique needs of young migrants.

The impact of climate change on Jordanian youth

Climate change affects Jordan in many ways, such as harming the economy, unemployment, agriculture, high temperatures, water scarcity, cultural, politics, social behavior, and technology. According to Al-Ghad newspaper, which was reported by the World Bank in 2021 notes that "the percentage of the population who reported internal migration in the Kingdom in 2013, during the past five years, reached 2,000 people, including 4.4% of men and 3.8% of women." Young Jordanians are often those most likely to move, facing disruptions in education, employment, and social support networks, triggered by demographic changes (Farah Atiyat-2023).

Empowering Jordanian Youth for Climate Resilience

To help young people in Jordan face the challenges posed by the effects of climate change, it requires empowering them and involving them in decision-making processes that affect their present and future, providing youth with job opportunities in the fields of renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and green transport, encouraging youth to innovate and develop new solutions to combat climate change. The economic and environmental situation in Jordan calls for adaptation to climate change, meaning that young people must be actively involved in shaping climate change and migration related policy. The World Bank report shows that achieving Jordan's development and climate goals depends heavily on public policy and investment in five strategic sectors – water, energy, agriculture, transport and urban development. Young people who can be catalysts for change by participating in decision-making processes and public debates on how to address the impacts of climate change on human mobility. The role of youth in this context should be encouraged, as young people can bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to enhance environmental sustainability and support sustainable development (Albank Aldawli).

 Jordanian youth climate action

Jordanian young people have a lot of potential. By giving them opportunities, they can help reduce the effects of climate change. His Majesty the King of Jordan' launched an initiative entitled "Climate/Refugee Nexus Initiative" during the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP 27), to engage the private sector in climate action in cooperation with the Global Green Growth Initiative (GGGI). Engaging Jordanian youth in climate action and disaster risk reduction initiatives is essential for positive change. Youth-led organizations, community projects, and digital advocacy platforms provide channels for youth to voice their concerns and contribute to innovative solutions. The statistics highlight the importance of youth participation in decision-making processes, increasing the impact of climate action efforts.

Sustainable solutions to climate change and its impact on human mobility in Jordan requires cooperation between government institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector by involving youth in the implementation of climate policies on the ground, such as the Local Youth Conference for Climate Change LCOY 2023, which was organized by the Jordanian Ministry of Youth and the Ministry of Environment in partnership with UNICEF and Generations For Peace. The conference aimed to discuss the role of youth in addressing climate change and of successful young entrepreneurs Such as the (SAWN 2) program, which aims to raise youth awareness and empower 36 young men and women from all Jordan and provide them with the skills to lead climate action locally and globally and contribute to building a more sustainable future in a changing climate world. Statistics confirm the valuable contributions of young people's perspectives, the need for a conducive environment to formulate effective climate resilience and disaster risk reduction strategies.

Conclusion

At a time when Jordan is facing the challenges of climate change including its impact on people`s mobility, youth empowerment can play a critical role in addressing the challenges and creating a sustainable future. By recognizing youth as catalysts for positive change, supporting their initiatives and active participation in relevant decision-making, climate change adaptation can be enhanced and local resilience increased. The Local Climate Change Conference (LOCY 2023) witnessed the participation of more than 200 young people, where the focus was on discussing business initiatives that enhance efforts to combat climate change. Providing opportunities for young people to influence environmental policies will have a significant impact on promoting climate change adaptation and increasing resilience. Jordanian youth have the potential to be a pivotal part in protecting their communities, environment and Jordanian cultural heritage for future generations. 
It is vital to have a good interaction between young people and climate change for sustainable efforts in this area.

About the author:
Ahmed Owier is a 24-year-old UI/UX designer and scientific researcher from Syria, who moved to Jordan in 2012 and is studying at AMAALA School. He is the founder of Scrap, a platform that enables users to recycle their used products by selling or buying them, which won the first place in the Sendian competition at the level of the Middle East and North Africa. He worked with World Vision as a scientific researcher to study the market during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on refugees, conducting qualitative research and collecting data. He also worked as a social entrepreneurship trainer with Peace First, teaching children how to identify and address injustice and its root causes. He designed a fund that helps people with motor disabilities to become self-reliant and independent, distributing 130 devices for free with the support of the EU funding.

This article is part of the IOM Blog Series: Youth Voices on Migration, Environment and Climate Change