INDIVIDUALS INSIGHT ON CLIMATE CHANGE

- M. KUMAR The build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has been driven largely by growing consumption of fossil fuels in the world. In future, the growth of GHG emissions will be determined by the spread of technology, patterns of economic growth, land-use and land-cover. The growth of the worlds population will be a critical factor, as well. According to World Bank report (2012), it is estimated that global population will be 8 11 billion by the year 2050. Most experts agree that build-up of greenhouse gases has contributed to an increase of 4 degree Celsius in earths average surface temperature by 2100. Any attempt to address greenhouse gas emissions and climate change will require public understanding. Concern about climate change is relatively new phenomenon on the public scene. Public opinion is critical because it is a key component of the socio-political context within which policy makers operate. Public support or opposition to climate policies will be greatly influenced by public perceptions of the risks. Successfully mitigation or adaptation to climate change will require changes in the individual behaviour. The study was carried out in Urban Bangalore, INDIA. Group discussion technique (195 respondents) was adopted to recognize the perception, understanding and willingness towards climate change among the individuals. The results are as follows; Primary cause for climate change: 55% of the respondent expressed that climate change is happening due to over population, 68% expressed that it was from pollution, emissions from business and industry, 22% expressed due to destruction of urban forest, 39% was from change in land-use and land-cover, 18% expressed due to the usage of chemicals to destroy insect pests and 9%

expressed due to aerosol spray cans. Thus, accurate understanding of the causes of climate change remains quite limited in the urban Bangalore, INDIA. Community awareness: It was highlighted that majority of the respondents (72%) were heard about the climate change and 19% of respondents had never heard of the climate change and only 9% of respondents were unaware about changing climate. Threats: Only 27% of the respondents consider that the climate change is dangerous and has direct threat to them and their families than do individuals, while 38% of respondents consider climate change is important but not dangerous to them. However, 16% and 19% of respondents consider climate change is not important and are not sure about the threats that are caused by changing climate respectively. Worry: Majority of the respondents (31%) were not worried about climate change, while 28% and 24% of the respondents had a fair knowledge and a great deal about the climate change. Moreover, Only 10% respondents who

said they dont worry about climate change and 7% respondents were unaware about changing climate and its impacts. Seriousness: Awareness of the problem and insufficient condition to motivate an individual or collective response is necessary. 35% of the respondents are greatly worried and 28% are just worried about the impacts caused by the changing climate. Moreover, 37% of the respondents were not worried about the impacts that are caused by climate change, which may be for a variety of reasons, ranging from decreased scientific certainty, lack of information, data, facts and figures and policymaker attention, observed impacts around the world, or the diffusion of basic awareness of the local or regional problems. Most effective solution to subside global warming: Renewable energy and limiting population growth were the most identified solutions (63% and 46% respectively), using of more efficient appliances (29%), reduction of waste

(21%), Afforestation (19%), recycling (17%) and awareness among individuals through media (9%) are the other important solutions. Willingness to reduce GHG emissions voluntarily: Successful mitigation of climate change will require willingness and changes in individuals behavior, who each day make individual choices that collectively have enormous impacts on the earths climate. An attempt was made to know the individuals willingness and contribution to mitigation of climate change. 36% of the respondents agreed and 24% of the respondents were not willing to adapt to the changes. Majority of the respondents (40%), were uncertain to reduce greenhouse gas voluntarily or with the help of the government incentives. Finally, the report concludes that based on the limited data, it appears that although large majorities of the urban community are aware of climate change and large majorities believe that climate change is a very serious problem and is growing more concerned. The overall, awareness, concern, and support for significant action to deal with climate change appears to be gaining momentum among the community, although there are many obstacles remaining, including our limited understanding of the current status of global community opinion and the unknown potential for rapid social change to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a rate fast enough to anticipate large-scale climate disruptions.