Thinking about climate change: young people from Ladakh responding to global warming. An explorative study

Abstract

Understanding the response of young people towards climate change can help us creating sustainable societies. India represents 17,5% of the world’s population and thus has a major potential of anthropogenic impact on global emissions. This article introduces sections of an empirical study on climate change response of young people in India, exemplarily in the sensitive Himalayan ecosystem of Ladakh. In a qualitative study with an ethnographic approach in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, group discussions with students aged 15-18 have been conducted and analyzed with the documentary method. The results indicate that for them, an active response occurs to a greater extend out of reflection and knowledge and following personal idols than out of visceral emotional response to the threats of climate change.