Climate Change in the Indian Mind

The report finds that while a majority of Indians are worried about local environmental hazards and support a transition to renewable energy, there is a significant gap in basic knowledge of global warming. Many respondents report high vulnerability to extreme weather and economic instability, yet express a strong willingness to adopt lifestyle changes and support government climate commitments.

• A large majority of Indians are concerned about local environmental hazards, with the highest levels of worry regarding agricultural pests and diseases (87%), extinction of species (86%), and severe heat waves, droughts, and air pollution (all 85%).
• There is a notable gap between the perception of local hazards and the understanding of global warming; 54% of adults know 'just a little' or have never heard of global warming, though 78% believe it is happening after receiving a short definition.
• Public concern regarding global warming is high, with 91% of respondents worried and 59% stating they are 'very worried.'
• There is strong public support for India's climate goals and a transition away from fossil fuels: 86% favor the commitment to reach net-zero carbon pollution by 2070, and 84% support banning new coal power plants and replacing them with solar and wind energy.
• While Indians believe a transition to renewables will reduce air pollution (85%) and global warming (82%), they also express concerns that it will increase unemployment (61%), cause electricity outages (58%), and raise electricity prices (57%).
• A high proportion of the population is willing to adopt pro-environmental behaviors, with 93% willing to make big daily life changes and 76% willing to pay more for electric vehicles to reduce travel costs and global warming.
• The survey reveals significant socio-economic vulnerability: 72% of respondents experience daily electricity disruptions, and more than half (65%) report that their income does not cover their needs, with 38% facing 'great difficulties.'
• Recovery from extreme weather is perceived as slow, with 75% of households stating it would take several months or more to recover from a severe flood and 85% for a severe drought.

APA

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (2023). Climate Change in the Indian Mind. https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/app/uploads/2014/05/climate-change-indian-mind-2023.pdf

Chicago

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Climate Change in the Indian Mind. 2023. https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/app/uploads/2014/05/climate-change-indian-mind-2023.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Yale Program on Climate Change Communication |title=Climate Change in the Indian Mind |date=2023 |url=https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/app/uploads/2014/05/climate-change-indian-mind-2023.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{yaleprogramonclimatechangecommunication2023climate, author = {{Yale Program on Climate Change Communication}}, title = {{Climate Change in the Indian Mind}}, institution = {Yale Program on Climate Change Communication}, year = {2023}, url = {https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/app/uploads/2014/05/climate-change-indian-mind-2023.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }