Climate Change Skepticism and Overcoming Inaction in Kolkata, India

Kolkata's heat wave magnitude is alarming, with a summer heat index average of 36.5 degree Celsius, making it one of the hottest megacities in India. The city's relative humidity has increased by 5% between 2001-2010 and 2014-2023, worsening heat stress. This combination of high heat and humidity is particularly alarming, as it comprise the human body's ability to cool itself through sweating.

Kolkata experienced this heat in April 2023 for about 10 days like never before. While a large section of the city dwellers, who managed to survive the summers without air conditioning (AC) so far, queued up in front of electronic stores, ACs went out of stock rapidly.

At the same time, another section of the city questioned the attitude of those who complained about the heat. Debates on social media platforms ensued and this section of the society denied the hand of climate change in the recent surge of temperatures. Arguments included historical points that showed the city had witnessed similar heat waves before, and therefore, it is not a big deal. What the skeptics missed out on, is that this is not about a single incidence of heat waves. It is about the overall rising temperatures of the city in summer, devastating monsoons, and warmer winters.

Where Does Skepticism Lie?
Skepticism of any kind is typically deep-rooted, springing from a reluctance to accept change. In the climate change context, it is no different. Skeptics are those who are unwilling to accept that the climate is changing, and not for the better. Here is how the general public and the authorities usually think when confronted about issues regarding climate change.

Skepticism Among the General Public
Compared to many other big cities of India, Kolkata still thinks it has a large number of natural water bodies. A water census report published in April 2023 indicates that West Bengal has the largest number of ponds and reservoirs in India. So, Kolkata residents often do not feel threatened about the consequences of potable water literally flowing down the drain. They feel that they have enough. This form of skepticism develops when no direct threat is seen in the general public’s day-to-day life. They are confident that the abnormal heat is just a phase that will pass as long as their basic amenities remain unobstructed.

Skepticism Among the Authorities
The authorities in Kolkata do have a few measures to curb climate change, but they mostly remain on paper. For instance, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation has a garbage segregation system in place, where they isolate dry waste from wet waste and dispose of each kind of waste responsibly. But when it comes to implementing it on the grassroots level, excuses such as lack of manpower and funds seem to crop up now and then. The lack of investment in awareness programs also shows the corporation’s apathy towards the burning issues of climate change. Such a dearth of enthusiasm among the authorities can only arise from being skeptical towards the real issues. Consequently, the laws they formulate only become part of a protocol issued by even higher authorities.

How to Overcome Climate Inaction?
Inaction that arises from skepticism can hardly be countered unless the change comes from within every individual. Considering there are always two schools of thought concerning climate change, viz-a-viz, the skeptics and the non-skeptics, to overcome inaction, the non-skeptics can arrange for more awareness for the skeptics.
Here is how the general public and the authorities can spread the message.

Overcoming Inaction Among the General Public
Starting small can be efficient when influencing skeptics. In Kolkata, where plastic use in grocery stores is still rampant, responsible citizens can begin changing the system by carrying their reusable shopping bags. Other measures include using public transport wherever possible. Kolkata is still not a car-centric city, which gives residents plenty of options to avoid using their private vehicles more often than not. Flocking more to local food stores instead of gourmet ones can be another big influence. Last, but not the least, every house can have at least a square meter of garden, if not more.

Overcoming Inaction Among the Authorities
Keeping political and economic issues aside, the authorities can take charge of the situation by, once again, working at the grassroots level. Area-wise monitoring of water wastage is a top priority. Garbage disposal systems can be streamlined to make it more efficient. Above all, educating the masses can convert many skeptics into firm believers of climate change. And while the authorities are at it, holding awareness campaigns within their own offices can be a good place to start to overcome apathy and skepticism within the very framework of governmental processes.

Thinking Ahead
Climate change can be hard to understand. And much like any other kind of change, it can be hard to accept. Awareness is crucial to break down the complexities of climate change so that the message reaches the masses, even those who have limited knowledge of the sciences. For that, already-aware citizens of the city must start by working in collaboration with cooperative officials, even if they are just a handful, and build gradually to a city-wide awareness platform from there.

Header Image: A banner in front of Victoria Memorial, Kolkata. Source: Wikimedia Commons