A vast majority of adults in Tamil Nadu say they have personally experienced the effects of global warming, according to new Climate Opinion Maps released by the Yale Programme on Climate Change Communication.
The data, published on November 17, shows that 90% of adults in the State report first-hand experience of climate impacts — one of the highest levels in India.
About 66% also say they know “a lot” or “something” about global warming.
Tamil Nadu, one of India’s most urbanised and industrialised States, has been facing rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and frequent extreme weather events. The State government has, in recent years, set up the Tamil Nadu Governing Council on Climate Change and drafted a State Action Plan on Climate Change to guide mitigation and adaptation efforts.
As per a release, the newly released maps offer State-level and district-level insights into how people across India perceive and experience climate-related risks. Nationally, majority report experiencing severe heatwaves (71%), agricultural pests and diseases (59%), power outages (59%), water pollution (53%), drought and water shortages (52%), and severe air pollution (51%) in the past year.
