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NAMA Strategic Intelligence Solutions conducted a survey on climate change gauging Jordanians’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in relation to its causes and effects on the Kingdom. The survey was conducted on a multistage probability systematic random sample, which was drawn through a clustered stratified design of 1,827 respondents from Jordan’s 12 governorates, interviewed face-to-face between February 17-27, 2022.

An overwhelming majority, 87.6 per cent, of Jordanians stated they feel a change in the pattern of the weather, yet 52 per cent of Jordanians indicated their familiarity with the term “climate change”. High awareness levels of climate change were especially prevalent among respondents with higher education levels, as indicated by 70 per cent of those who have completed university education, 49 per cent among those who completed secondary education, and 36 per cent among those who have not completed secondary education.

When asked about what they knew about climate change, 54 per cent, of those who were aware of climate change, linked it with the change in weather and seasons; 20 per cent associated it with global warming, pollution, and rising temperature levels; 10 per cent indicated less water and deforestation; and 7 per cent referred to ozone depletion.

Over half, 54.4 per cent of Jordanians, who are aware of climate change, indicated that climate change is “very important” or “somewhat important” to them personally. When analyzed in terms of Jordan’s three regions, 49 per cent of respondents in the south region view climate change as a “very important” issue to them personally, compared to 36 per cent among the respondents in the center region and 33 per cent among those in the north region.

Further, 51 per cent of Jordanians – among those who have heard of climate change, believe that it affects, or will affect, them personally. Of those, 56 per cent reported that climate change may cause health issues while 12 per cent referred to economic implications.

When it comes to its causes, 46 per cent of Jordanians who have heard of climate change stated that “air pollution” was its main contributor, compared to 19 per cent for deforestation and 8 per cent for consumerism, as 3 per cent believe that climate change occurs naturally.

The survey findings reveal a pessimist attitude, especially that 58 per cent of those who are aware of climate change believe that there is nothing to be done to combat this challenge. On the other hand, 28 per cent argued that it could be tackled through reforestation, compared to 22 per cent who referred to increasing regulations on factories to better consider the environment, 21 per cent for using environmentally friendly products, 11 per cent for raising awareness, and 7 per cent for using electric cars and providing more public transportation options, as only 4 per cent indicated switching to renewable energy can contribute to reducing the implications of climate change.

When asked about who should tackle climate change, of those who are aware of climate change, 77 per cent said that the government, international organizations, and environmental organizations hold the most responsibility for tackling the implications of climate change. In contrast, only 6 per cent asserted that the responsibility falls on the individual. This small percentage may also explain why only 5.6 per cent of those who heard of climate change stated that they have taken, or regularly take, action out of concern for climate change. They clarified that they preserve the environment, plant trees, and use alternative energy sources, among other actions.

The survey also concluded that 64 per cent of Jordanians, who have heard about climate change, receive their information about climate change from social media platforms, compared to 26 per cent from television channels, and 7 per cent from other sources, including radio stations and newspapers, among others.

When asked where they would prefer to get their climate change information from, 51 per cent – of those who are aware of climate change” indicated subject matter experts, 23 per cent referred to environmental activists and organizations, and 18 per cent indicated the government. It is worth noting that 57 per cent of respondents with university education prefer to obtain information on climate change from subject matter experts.

The survey results also show that Jordanians are more concerned about the water crisis than climate change. In fact, 72 per cent of Jordanians reported that they are “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” about water scarcity in Jordan in the next 25 years.