85% of Chennai residents see climate change as an immediate threat, finds survey

A recent survey of 2,000 residents of Chennai by Climate Trends, a non-governmental organisation, found that nearly 85% of them recognised climate change not just as a risk but as a threat to health and the city’s essential infrastructure.

The findings were released in the report titled ‘Climate Change Perception Study’ at the Tamil Nadu Climate Summit 4.0 by Environment, Climate Change and Forests Secretary Supriya Sahu. The survey, conducted across Chennai’s four regions, shows residents are grappling with intensifying heatwaves, flooding and water scarcity.

Extreme heat emerged as the most widely experienced hazard, with 80% reporting personal impact, followed by water stress affecting 70%. The study also revealed strong public support for resilience measures: 75% backed restrictions on polluting vehicles, 70% supported subsidies for electric vehicles, and 39% expressed direct interest in rooftop solar, with another 54% open to adoption if financial and procedural barriers are addressed.

Trust in climate information was highest for scientists (67%) and the government (60%), although 56% said they had not received climate-related communication in the past six months. A majority preferred digital heat alerts and advisories via platforms such as WhatsApp.

Regionally, north Chennai faces severe heat and water stress aggravated by industrial activity and infrastructure gaps, while coastal east Chennai experiences recurrent flooding, power outages and crop damage.

The report says that central Chennai periodically contends with heat, water shortages and electricity cuts, and south Chennai reports mounting water stress linked to rapid urban expansion.