Giving Compass' Take:

• India Development Review discusses the gaps in knowledge when it comes to climate change in the country and urges an effort to educate the population.

• The principles of the argument presented here can also apply to the U.S.: How can we coordinate greater outreach about the economic and health impacts of climate change among all populations?

• Read about these communication strategies to engage skeptics.

Nearly half of the population in India lives in places that are likely to become moderate or severe climate hot spots by 2050, according to a World Bank study launched very recently. Changing rainfall pattern due to climate change could result in extreme water stress and this, as well as other risks, would cost up to 2.8% of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Yale University research on climate change communications pointed out that 65% of the Indian population is not aware of climate change. It, however, added that 80% of the remaining 35% perceive it as a serious threat (mostly belonging to the educated class). The UNDP, in a study carried out in 2007 on education response to climate change with gender bias had concluded that women born during the flood years in the 1970s were 19% less likely to have ever attended primary school.

The rapidity of changes taking place in our environment and the increasing vulnerability to impending climate risks are demanding climate change education at all levels. But are we doing enough in imparting climate change education? Compliance of Nationally Determined Contributions in the Paris Agreement for reaching reduced level of greenhouse emissions so as to limit the rise in temperature to 2°C, and to 1.5°C in the extreme case, would need greater participation from all sectors of the economy, be it industry, household or farming.

Read the full article about the need to invest in more climate education in India by Dr. Malti Goel at India Development Review.