BATHINDA: The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, in collaboration with C-Voter, Tuesday released the Yale Climate Opinion Maps for India. This new online interactive tool provides the first-ever estimates of public responses to climate change in 34 of India’s 36 states and union territories, and in 604 districts, depicting the variation in global warming knowledge, beliefs, risk perceptions, and policy preferences at state and local levels across the country.
Prior studies of public responses to climate change in India have often provided results only at the national level. The recent national survey in India found that large majorities in India are worried about climate-related hazards, but until now we had little information about the diversity of climate opinions within the country.
While national data show that 41% of people in India say they know a lot or something about global warming, there is substantial geographic variation within the country. In Gujarat, 52% of Indians know a lot or something about the issue, whereas in Maharashtra, only 33% report this level of knowledge. More Indians living in state capital cities say they know a lot or something about global warming compared to other districts. 74% think global warming will cause more severe heat waves and 85% are worried about global warming.
“In a large and linguistically diverse country such as India, state governments and district administrators are more directly connected to the people and play a crucial role in achieving India’s development and climate action goals. This research can help state and local leaders tailor their climate change communications to meet the needs and aspirations of their communities,” said Dr. Jagadish Thaker, senior lecturer, University of Queensland.
After being given a short definition of global warming, the analysis and maps show that more Indians perceive risks from global warming in places like Kerala, Goa, and Punjab, compared to states such as Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
“Understanding local climate opinions is a game-changer for policymakers – it allows them to implement effective climate solutions that have strong public support,” said Dr Jennifer Marlon, the lead researcher for the opinion maps at the Yale School of the Environment.
A better understanding of public climate change knowledge, beliefs, risk perceptions, and policy support can help decision-makers in India and beyond. As Indian states develop or update their respective State Action Plans on Climate Change and Net Zero targets, understanding and engaging the public will be critical to effective implementation of climate solutions.
In addition to Jennifer Marlon and Jagadish Thaker, researchers included Emily Goddard, Anthony Leiserowitz, Seth Rosenthal, and Jennifer Carman at Yale University, Liz Neyens, Naga Raghuveer Modala at Texas A&M Forest Service, Swetha Kolluri, d-coop, and Yashwant Deshmukh and Gaura Shukla at C-Voter.
Prior studies of public responses to climate change in India have often provided results only at the national level. The recent national survey in India found that large majorities in India are worried about climate-related hazards, but until now we had little information about the diversity of climate opinions within the country.
While national data show that 41% of people in India say they know a lot or something about global warming, there is substantial geographic variation within the country. In Gujarat, 52% of Indians know a lot or something about the issue, whereas in Maharashtra, only 33% report this level of knowledge. More Indians living in state capital cities say they know a lot or something about global warming compared to other districts. 74% think global warming will cause more severe heat waves and 85% are worried about global warming.
“In a large and linguistically diverse country such as India, state governments and district administrators are more directly connected to the people and play a crucial role in achieving India’s development and climate action goals. This research can help state and local leaders tailor their climate change communications to meet the needs and aspirations of their communities,” said Dr. Jagadish Thaker, senior lecturer, University of Queensland.
After being given a short definition of global warming, the analysis and maps show that more Indians perceive risks from global warming in places like Kerala, Goa, and Punjab, compared to states such as Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
“Understanding local climate opinions is a game-changer for policymakers – it allows them to implement effective climate solutions that have strong public support,” said Dr Jennifer Marlon, the lead researcher for the opinion maps at the Yale School of the Environment.
A better understanding of public climate change knowledge, beliefs, risk perceptions, and policy support can help decision-makers in India and beyond. As Indian states develop or update their respective State Action Plans on Climate Change and Net Zero targets, understanding and engaging the public will be critical to effective implementation of climate solutions.
In addition to Jennifer Marlon and Jagadish Thaker, researchers included Emily Goddard, Anthony Leiserowitz, Seth Rosenthal, and Jennifer Carman at Yale University, Liz Neyens, Naga Raghuveer Modala at Texas A&M Forest Service, Swetha Kolluri, d-coop, and Yashwant Deshmukh and Gaura Shukla at C-Voter.
