Energy demand, poverty and the urban environment in Jordan

This paper presents some insights into the prime problems of energy and rel ated environmental issues as well as urbanisation in Jordan. The country ha s very limited natural resources: water is scarce; arable land is limited; and fossil-fuel sources are few. Moreover, the population is increasing rap idly. Hence, problems are arising. During the last 30 years, the country ha s experienced vast changes in its infrastructure with respect to the housin g, urbanisation, commerce, agriculture and industry. Such developments have led to increasing demographic stresses: unemployment has increased and pov erty is experienced by more than half of the population. The pressures have resulted in a high percentage of the population moving from rural to urban areas and so society is becoming less self-sufficient. At present, energy consumption in the residential sector accounts for about one quarter of the kingdom's fuel consumption. Kerosene, bottled LPG, diesel fuel and electri city are the main forms of energy used by households, but kerosene is still the dominant fuel because about 83% of households depend on it for space a nd water heating. The use of open fires and/or portable stoves has led to a n increasing number of people being killed each year by suffocation or suff ering health problems due to the inhalation of fumes and gaseous pollutants . Thus a national plan to achieve energy thrift and protect the environment , as well as accomplish the more rational utilisation of the limited natura l resources available, is urgently needed and should be enacted soon. (C) 2 001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.