According to a study published July 3 by NAMA polling center-SAWTI,
there is a gap between what Jordanians feel about change in weather patterns
and the concept of climate change. The survey, which was conducted on a
nationally representative probability sample of 1,827 respondents, revealed
that although an overwhelming majority of Jordanians, 87 percent, said they
felt a change in the pattern of the weather, only 52 percent of them reported
familiarity with the term “climate change”.
اضافة اعلان
Given the international prevalence of climate change
policies through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 13,
the level of awareness ought to be significantly improved. High levels of
awareness about climate change were especially prevalent among respondents with
higher education levels, as indicated by 70 percent of those who completed
university education, 49 percent among those who completed secondary education,
and 36 percent among those who did not complete secondary education. This means
that while more awareness needs to be raised among people with lower education
levels, more educated people should be targeted to spread awareness about
climate change and its implications for life on earth.
When asked what they knew about climate change, 54 percent
of those who were aware about climate change linked it with the change in
weather and seasons; 20 percent associated it with global warming, pollution,
and rising temperature levels; 10 percent tied it to less water and
deforestation; and 7 percent referred to ozone depletion. Young Jordanians and
urban centers should be particularly targeted for raising awareness about the
issue.
The survey findings reveal a pessimist attitude, with 58 percent of those who are aware of climate change believing that there is nothing to be done to combat this challenge. This finding demonstrates that it is essential to influence public opinion to believe that each individual can do something to address the problem
The targeting should focus on making the link
between climate change and its direct impact on the individual. Half of the
Jordanians sampled — among those who had heard of climate change — believe that
it affects, or will affect, them personally. Of those, 56 percent reported that
climate change may cause health issues, while 12 percent referred to economic
implications. These are essential clues that should guide awareness campaigns
which should also focus on linking “causes” to daily life habits.
To be sure, 46 percent of Jordanians who have heard
of climate change stated that “air pollution” was its main contributor,
compared to 19 percent who blamed it on deforestation and 8 percent on
consumerism; 3 percent believe that climate change occurs naturally. These
“beliefs” should constitute a major basis for tackling climate change.
The survey findings reveal a pessimist attitude,
with 58 percent of those who are aware of climate change believing that there
is nothing to be done to combat this challenge. This finding demonstrates that
it is essential to influence public opinion to believe that each individual can
do something to address the problem. The seeds for that influence are already
there.
At the same time, 28 percent argued that the problem
could be tackled through reforestation, compared to 22 percent who referred to
increasing regulations on factories to better consider the environment, 21 percent
who urged using environmentally friendly products, 11 percent who were for
raising awareness, 7 percent who were for using electric cars and providing
more public transportation options, and the mere 4 percent who said that
switching to renewable energy can contribute to reducing the implications of
climate change.
The study found evidence of guidance for public
policy options to increase awareness about climate change.
It is evident that there is a lot of work to be done
regarding the individual responsibility. When asked about who should tackle
climate change, of those who are aware of the issue, 77 percent said that the
government, international organizations, and environmental organizations are
mostly responsible. Only 6 percent asserted that the responsibility falls on
the individual. This small percentage may also explain why only 5.6 percent 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.
Clearly we have a long way to go, especially when
nearly half of Jordanians are unsatisfied with cleanliness in the country.
The
writer is chairman of NAMA Strategic Intelligence Solutions
[email protected]
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