COVID-19 crisis and the next looming Climate crisis

The COVID 19 crisis is undoubtedly the most threatening challenge we have faced in our lifetimes. After this serious health crisis, an economic crisis is bubbling up which will affect us all as much as the health crisis. Behind the scenes is a slow moving crisis that potentially threatens to dwarf the COVID pandemic. Let us not forget that a climate change crisis is looming which is forecast to engulf COVID 19 and bring even greater economic troubles with it. Climate change is said to be the largest threat to humans and our way of living.

The COVID 19 crisis has created changes for all of us, some good changes… People have walked to grocery stores, and used bicycles more and cars less. And, we have all noticed that the air quality has improved immensely during the lockdown as greenhouse gas emissions have decreased. The UN Climate Change group calls on every single one of us in Jordan to reflect on these new habits and consider them in the future even after the pandemic. We must be conscious to savour these small improvements as gas emissions are likely to jump back up. The pandemic begs the questions: Can we consume less? Can we live more sustainably? Can we reduce reuse and recycle more? How can we convert from a fossil-based economy to one of renewable energy?

Since the COVID crisis, water demand in Jordan households has increased dramatically across the country as we stay home and increase our hygiene levels to avoid the virus. As reported in JT on March 23, there has been a large increase in the use of domestic water of upto 40 per cent. This exceeds the water use increase that Jordan normally experiences every summer. During this crisis, in order to reach vulnerable communities, the government had to increase trucking of water to certain areas to ensure water supply.

Let us not forget that some aquifers in areas in northern Jordan, the ground water levels are declining by as much as 12 meters per year. Temperatures are forecasted to rise every year and rain to decline by as much as 12.9 per cent by 2035. Jordan is expected to experience more intense and frequest droughts as well as flash floods. The UN calls on us all to be aware of the water scarcity issue in the country and adopt personal habits to avoid this next crisis as much as possible.

Sally Berman, FAO Jordan, convenor of the UN Climate Change group, notes that jointly with the international community,  private sector, civil society and the government, the UN efforts are directed towards the implementation of the national mitigation commitments to reduce emissions (NDCs) as well as to adaptation measures to ensure a safer future in the areas of Water and sanitation for vulnerable communities, support to municipalities on Disaster risk reduction for floods and droughts, Waste management, Water efficiency in Agriculture and much more. UN agencies are joining under UNDP’s lead to contribute to Jordan’s next Climate Change Policy (2021-2030), in support to the Ministry of Environment.

As the COVID crisis gives us all a new focus on the health and well-being of humanity, it is a perfect time to also reflect on the health of our surrounding environment too.