Navigating Environmental Challenges in Jordan: A Comprehensive Study on Degradation, Remediation, and Future Imperatives

Due to its recent geologic history and development dictating its topographic constellation with the strong relief of the Jordan Rift Valley and its Shoulder Mountains, the land of Jordan as a part of the Levant (Bilad esh Sham) has strongly been exposed to natural degradation processes, such as floods causing erosion, sedimentation and loss of soil, fragile biodiversity, earthquakes, volcanoes, and climate changes. In addition, during the last seven decades, human activities of urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural activities have led to accelerating rates of environmental degradation. To counteract these natural and man-made trends, programs and action plans have been developed and implemented, especially to alleviate the impacts of man-made degradation and to somehow challenge natural degradation processes. This article discusses the main natural and man-made environmental degradation processes in Jordan, what has been done to alleviate their effects, and what ought to be envisaged, planned, and implemented to challenge these degradation processes. It also highlights the importance of building adaptive capacity and resilience in the face of ongoing environmental challenges in Jordan. This article aims also at encouraging stakeholders, policymakers, and the public to take action based on the study's recommendations. It also emphasizes the shared responsibility in addressing environmental challenges and the potential positive impact of collective efforts.