Over 3000 election contestants from national and state level parties were sent a questionnaire on climate change. The aim was to assess their knowledge on the issue and how important it is to them.
Only 41 people had responded after about two weeks of sending the questionnaire. That’s a response rate of a trifle more than half a percent. Such a low response could be attributed to several reasons:
1. Election results were out soon after the questionnaire was sent out. Therefore majority of respondents who were out of the election fray had no incentive to respond.
2. The majority received the letter after the last date printed on it had passed — some even mentioned that in their response.
3. Apathy towards the issue of climate change.
Unfortunately, due to the first two reasons, we cannot ascertain how much of a role did apathy play in lack of response.
Due to the low sample size, the responses received cannot be called representative of all election contestants. That said, we can still draw a few conclusions from the responses we did receive.
* The short questionnaire composed of 7 questions. Out of this, 4 were based on facts – which either had a wrong answer or a right one. Two other questions were on the importance allotted to this issue and perception regarding India’s international stand.
* Except for one, none of the other 40 respondents got all four factual questions right. One that most people (51%) got right was “Global warming is caused by” with the correct choice being Green house gas emissions.
* The factual question that received least number of correct responses was “which Hollywood film with Al Gore raised awareness about climate change worldwide and won an Oscar.” About half the respondents voted in favor of imaginary names like “A Lost Continent” and “Earth in Jeopardy.”
* Most surprisingly, however, a vast majority — 49% of respondents could not answer the simplest question on the cause of global warming with 15% saying it’s due to increase in solar output.
* On the positive side, 98% respondents consider the issue to be either their top priority or a very important issue. On what should be India’s position in international talks on climate change — 63% responded that we should do everything possible to prevent runaway climate change regardless of action by others. 12% chose the second option — take some action if developed countries take the lead and 2% chose the last option – not sure/ will be decided by the party.
THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY ARE SUMMARISED BELOW IN THE FORM OF TABLES AND CHARTS:
1. How important will be the issue of climate change for you if you win?
a. Top Priority 59%
b. Very Important 39%
c. Somewhat important 2%
d. Not important at all
e. Not sure/ will be decided by party
2.Global warming is caused by
a. Heat from nearby colliding stars
b. Increase in solar output 15%
c. Slowing down of earth’s rotation 5%
d. Greenhouse gas emissions 51%
e. All of the above 27%
3.In 2007, which landmark scientific report on climate change was released globally?
a. The CPCC report 10%
b. The IPCC fourth assessment report 37%
c. The Bertrand commission findings 17%
d. The stern review
e. None of the above 10%
4.Which Hollywood film with Al Gore raised awareness about climate change worldwide and won an Oscar?
a. The Sixth Sense 15%
b. An Inconvenient truth 20%
c. A lost Continent 20%
d. Earth in Jeopardy 27%
e. None of the Above
5. In September 2007 which dramatic climatic event surprised climate scientists? No Response
6.What is runaway climate change?
a. Climate change due to airplane exhausts at runways 7%
b. The point after which climate change becomes impossible for humans to control 15%
c. When one climatic event triggers the next and climate change becomes irreversible 27%
d. The point after which it may be impossible to sustain life on earth as earlier 7%
e. Options b., c., & d. all combined 39%
7.Climate change threatens people of your constituency in which way?
a. Large inflow of migrants from neighboring states or countries 15%
b. Displacement caused by sea level rise 5%
c. Fall in agricultural productivity & food riots 44%
d. Extreme climatic events like floods and cyclones 22%
e. All of the above 17%
8.What should be India’s position in international talks on climate change?
a. Lead the world by implementing drastic actions needed to address this issue rather than waiting for others to begin 63%
b. Take limited action but only if developed countries take the lead 12%
c. We have no responsibility, the developed countries must do all the reductions 5%
d. Not sure / will be decided by the party2%
e. Write your own position 2%
Some of the comments (both positive and negative) written by the candidates are presented below:
1. Awareness among masses about climate change and their role to save the planet is the first task I intend to take irrespective of being elected or not.
2. Think globally and act locally
3. I will fulfill my responsibility and give Climate Change prime importance (in Hindi).
4. Pole shifting is the main cause for global warming.
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