Over 50% Indians ‘very worried' about climate impacts: Survey
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Bathinda: As the climate warms, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe across India. Indians recently experienced extreme heat waves, floods, water shortages, and irregular monsoon patterns.
These events not only harm lives and livelihoods but also shape how people perceive both climate change and extreme weather. To better understand public experiences and worries about these events, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) and CVoter surveyed 10,751 people in India from Dec 5, 2024, to Feb 18, 2025.
Most respondents said they personally experienced at least one extreme weather event or related impact in the past 12 months.
Majorities of Indians said they experienced severe heatwaves (71%), agricultural pests and diseases (60%), power outages (59%), water pollution (53%), droughts and water shortages (52%), and severe air pollution (52%).
Large majorities are worried about extreme weather or related impacts harming their local area. More than half of Indians say they are 'very worried' about extinctions of plant and animal species (61%), severe heat waves (56%), agricultural pests and diseases (62%), droughts and water shortages (58%), water pollution (55%), severe air pollution (54%), and famines and food shortages (51%).
It was found that majority of Indians think global warming is affecting extreme weather and related impacts in India. Half or more Indians say global warming is affecting extinctions of plant and animal species (64%), severe heat waves (62%), agricultural pests and diseases (62%), droughts and water shortages (60%), severe air pollution (59%), water pollution (57%), severe cyclones (54%), famines and food shortages (53%), severe floods (53%), monsoons (52%), and severe storms (50%) "a lot".
Additionally, 43% of Indians think global warming affects electricity power outages "a lot".
Extreme weather events and related impacts are common and deeply worrisome for many people in India. Climate and weather-related risks are not abstract concerns for many Indians but are part of people's day-to-day lives. Moreover, worry about local impacts is widespread and reflects people's personal experiences with these events.
After hearing a definition of global warming, most respondents say that it is affecting these events (especially plant and animal extinctions, heat waves, and agricultural disruptions).
However, a significant proportion (32%) of people in India have never heard of global warming. These findings highlight the critical need to raise public awareness about climate change and local climate impacts and reinforce the urgency of both reducing carbon pollution and preparing for future extreme events.
The report is based on findings from a nationally representative survey of adults (18+) in India. A nationally representative sample of respondents was contacted by mobile telephone using predictive dialing technology and computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI). The survey was translated into 12 languages (Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Odiya, Bangla, Asamiya, and English) and respondents received the survey in one of those languages based on their geographic location.
National census-based demographic parameters were used to create sampling targets for gender, education, and socioeconomic status. The results were also weighed after completion of the data collection to adjust the final sample to match national demographic parameters on gender, age, education, income, religion, and urbanicity.
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The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
How do heatwaves impact India's labour productivity?
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Indians at risk Heatwaves, a period of unusually high temperatures compared to normal, occur mainly from March to June and hit a peak in May. Most States are prone to heat waves in varying degrees with Central, Northwest, East & north Peninsular India bearing the brunt. A recent report by CEEW states that about 57% of Indian districts, which account for 76% of the country's population, face a high to very high heat risk. Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh face the highest heat risk. It notes that over the last 40 years (1981–2022), heat extremes in India have increased linearly. This led to landmark heatwaves in 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2024. 'Nearly 23 States are heatwave-prone in India. 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'Urban areas are at a higher risk because of the population that they host. Nearly 76% of India's population lives in 57% of districts [and they are susceptible to the risks],' Dr. Chitale said. He noted that the healthcare infrastructure in rural areas is relatively weak. This puts Indians in rural areas at risk of health-related disorders. 'Given the quality of housing, and the availability of amenities such as water, sanitation, electricity etc., the impact on the [rural] population can be quite severe,' Dr. Jayaram said. While States can tap into their State Disaster Management Fund to meet immediate funding to tackle intense heat waves, the focus should be on long-term solutions. 'States should be planning strategically to make investments to protect people,' Dr. Somanathan noted. 'When it comes to cities, they need to get a heat action plan. Then, you can start building on further with solutions and interventions. 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Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
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As the climate crisis distorts its rhythms, the stakes for India's agriculture, food security, and economy grow higher. Mitigating this crisis requires not only urgent climate action but also systemic reform in how India manages its water, land, and agricultural resources. For now, as every monsoon approaches, all eyes still turn to the skies--waiting for the rains, and with it better economic prospects. This article is authored by Purvi Mehta, adjunct professor, Cornell University, US and global advisor, World Food Prize.
Time of India
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- Time of India
Cloud computing
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