Climate Change in the Indian Mind

The report finds that while many Indians observe unpredictable weather and feel vulnerable to droughts and floods, initial awareness of 'global warming' is low. However, after receiving a definition, a majority believe it is happening and human-caused. There is significant support for national education programs and policies to reduce fuel, water, and energy waste, even at an economic cost, with scientists being the most trusted information source.

• Many Indians are observing changes in local weather patterns and feel personally vulnerable to extreme events, noting that recovery from severe droughts or floods could take months or years.
• Initial awareness of global warming is low, with 41 percent of respondents having never heard of it or not knowing what it is, and only 7 percent claiming to know 'a lot'. However, after being provided a short definition, 72 percent believe global warming is occurring and 56 percent attribute it primarily to human activities.
• There is strong public support for climate action and education in India, with 54 percent favoring large or moderate efforts to reduce global warming despite economic costs, and 70 percent supporting a national educational program.

APA

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (2012). Climate Change in the Indian Mind. https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/climate-change-in-the-indian-mind/

Chicago

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Climate Change in the Indian Mind. 2012. https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/climate-change-in-the-indian-mind/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Yale Program on Climate Change Communication |title=Climate Change in the Indian Mind |date=26 August 2012 |url=https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/climate-change-in-the-indian-mind/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{yaleprogramonclimatechangecommunication2012climate, author = {{Yale Program on Climate Change Communication}}, title = {{Climate Change in the Indian Mind}}, institution = {Yale Program on Climate Change Communication}, year = {2012}, month = aug, url = {https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/climate-change-in-the-indian-mind/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }