How to root climate change communication in local community experiences

In the bustling streets of Bengaluru, Venkatachala’s day begins early, setting up his flower stall before the sun’s intensity peaks. By mid-morning, though, the heat wilts his delicate roses and jasmines, slicing into his earnings and raising his stress.

Once cool and temperate, Bengaluru now faces near-40°C temperatures—straining the lives of urban poor like Venkatachala, who feel climate change’s impact on a daily basis. His story speaks for millions across India, facing this crisis in increasingly personal ways.

Venkatachala’s challenges reflect how climate change is no longer abstract but woven into everyday struggles. Climate communication must tap into these lived experiences, making the need for action deeply relatable. Stories that resonate emotionally can encourage collective engagement, transforming climate awareness into action across communities.

India finds itself on the global climate frontlines, grappling with rising temperatures, unpredictable monsoons, and frequent extreme weather events. While public awareness is growing, the leap from awareness to sustained action is formidable. For impactful communication, climate narratives must reach beyond mere data, connecting personally and culturally to inspire people to act.

Communicating India’s Climate Story Globally Through Indigenous Knowledge

As COP29 unfolds, India's climate story on global platforms is spotlighting the profound role of Indigenous knowledge and traditional solutions that have fostered resilience for centuries. This narrative extends beyond scientific data, offering insights into how communities harmonize with nature to face climate challenges.

For instance, India’s revival of millet cultivation—recognized as a climate-resilient crop by Indigenous farmers—demonstrates how traditional agricultural practices can provide sustainable food sources and adapt to changing weather patterns.

By showcasing Indigenous champions and community-led initiatives across regions like Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya, India illustrates that age-old practices hold answers to modern climate issues. Sharing these stories at platforms like COP29 honors Indigenous wisdom and invites global audiences to reimagine climate solutions that are sustainable, culturally rooted, and scalable.

Rooting Climate Messaging in Culture and tradition

 India’s cultural heritage offers a unique avenue for embedding climate awareness into the fabric of daily life. By linking water conservation campaigns with traditional festivals like Ganga Dussehra, climate action becomes more than a policy—it becomes part of spiritual responsibility. Similarly, the threat of losing culturally important foods, like the Kokum fruit, emphasizes the urgency of environmental preservation in ways that hit home. Messages grounded in cultural practices help communities understand the climate crisis as an immediate concern tied to their heritage and values.

Bridging Language Gaps for Inclusive Climate Dialogue 

With more than 780 dialects spoken across India, language diversity requires that climate messages be accessible in regional tongues. Translating key information into widely spoken languages such as Hindi, Tamil, and Marathi ensures that those most affected can engage fully. Expanding communication beyond English doesn’t just broaden the audience—it encourages a collective responsibility, inviting communities from all linguistic backgrounds to participate actively in addressing climate challenges.

Moving from One-Way Campaigns to Ongoing Community Conversations 

True engagement is sustained by dialogue, not short-term campaigns. Meaningful climate communication goes beyond top-down messaging, instead creating space for communities to contribute their insights. Local leaders, for instance, can act as community representatives, facilitating regular discussions on resilience and climate adaptation. Building these two-way relationships with stakeholders—from grassroots groups to policymakers—enables climate initiatives to address community needs directly, fostering long-lasting commitment and trust.

Highlighting Solutions to Inspire Resilience 

While the climate crisis is often framed in terms of looming threats, emphasizing tangible solutions can cultivate optimism and mobilize communities. Examples such as Dharnai’s solar village or Pune’s urban forestry project showcase real, localized responses to climate challenges. Similarly, successful projects like Kerala’s mangrove restoration and Rajasthan’s water conservation initiatives highlight that change is not only possible but achievable through community-driven approaches. By focusing on positive, action-oriented stories, climate communication can help shift public perception from crisis to resilience.

Kanica Sharma, a communications professional with over 12 years of experience in climate action, inclusive sanitation, and social resilience.