1. Impact of climate change – Pew Research Center

Report on Public Perception of Climate Change in Middle-Income Countries and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A comprehensive survey across nine middle-income countries reveals significant public awareness and concern regarding climate change, directly aligning with the urgency of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action). A median of 74% of adults perceive local impacts from climate change, with large majorities expressing concern for personal harm, a sentiment that underscores the connection between climate change and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The most prominent environmental threat identified is drought and water scarcity, highlighting critical challenges to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). These findings indicate a strong public mandate for policies and actions that integrate climate resilience with sustainable development.

Perceived Climate Impacts and Linkage to SDG 13 (Climate Action)

The data demonstrates a widespread recognition of local climate change effects, reinforcing the core objectives of SDG 13 to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Public perception is a critical driver for national and local climate strategies.

Key Findings on Local Impact Awareness

• A median of 74% of adults across the nine nations surveyed report that global climate change is affecting their local area at least somewhat.
• In Latin American nations, the perception of severe impact is particularly high, with 63% in Argentina and 62% in Brazil stating climate change affects their community “a great deal.”
• Since 2019, awareness of significant local impact has increased by 12 percentage points in Brazil and 7 points in India, indicating a growing recognition of climate-related challenges.
• In several countries, including India, Indonesia, and Mexico, higher educational attainment correlates with a greater likelihood of perceiving local climate impacts, suggesting a role for SDG 4 (Quality Education) in fostering climate literacy.

Concern for Personal Harm: A Nexus of SDG 3 and SDG 13

Widespread anxiety about personal harm from climate change underscores the intersection of climate action (SDG 13) and public health (SDG 3). The threat to personal well-being is a primary motivator for public demand for climate solutions.

Analysis of Personal Harm Perception

1. Large majorities in all surveyed countries are concerned that climate change will cause them personal harm. This concern is exceptionally high in Brazil and Indonesia, where it is expressed by 90% or more of the adult population.
2. Majorities in Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, and South Africa are “very” concerned, signaling a high level of perceived vulnerability.
3. Longitudinal data since 2015 shows evolving perceptions:
   • Concern has increased significantly in Indonesia (+18 points) and South Africa.
   • Concern has decreased from previous highs in Nigeria, India, Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil, though it remains the majority view.
4. In nations such as India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Turkey, younger adults (under 35) are more likely than older adults (50+) to be concerned about personal harm, highlighting the intergenerational equity aspect of climate action.

Specific Environmental Threats and Their Relation to Core SDGs

The survey identifies specific environmental concerns that directly threaten progress on several Sustainable Development Goals, including those related to water, health, and resilient communities.

Droughts and Water Shortages: A Direct Challenge to SDG 6

A median of 47% of respondents identify droughts or water shortages as their primary climate concern, making it the most significant perceived threat. This directly impacts the viability of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

• This concern is most acute in Mexico and Turkey, where approximately 70% of adults cite it as their top worry.
• Since 2015, concern over droughts has more than doubled in Turkey (from 35% to 73%), indicating a severe and growing water security crisis.
• Conversely, concern has declined in Brazil (from 78% to 49%), though it remains the top concern.

Extreme Weather Events and Rising Sea Levels: Threats to SDG 11 and SDG 14

Concerns over extreme weather and rising sea levels reflect direct threats to the safety and resilience of human settlements, a core component of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and the health of marine ecosystems under SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

1. Long periods of hot weather are the second-most cited concern (21% median), with significant increases in concern noted in Brazil (+16 points) and India (+15 points) since 2015.
2. Floods and intense storms are a major concern for 19% of respondents, particularly in South Africa (30%).
3. Concern over rising sea levels (7% median) has grown since 2015 in coastal nations such as Indonesia (+8 points), India (+6), and Brazil (+4), aligning with scientific models projecting increased flood risk for these areas.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  This is the most central SDG to the article. The entire text focuses on public perception, concern, and awareness of global climate change and its effects in nine middle-income countries. It directly addresses how people experience and worry about climate-related issues, which is fundamental to taking climate action.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article explicitly states that “Droughts and water shortages are the greatest concern in nearly all countries surveyed,” with a median of 47% of respondents identifying this as their primary worry. This directly connects to the sustainable management of water resources, a core component of SDG 6.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article discusses public concern over climate-related disasters such as “floods or intense storms” and “rising sea levels.” These issues directly threaten the safety and sustainability of human settlements, particularly coastal cities mentioned as being at risk. The concern about climate change “affecting the area where they live” relates to the resilience of communities.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  A significant portion of the article is dedicated to the public’s concern that climate change will “harm them personally at some point during their lifetime.” This fear of personal harm encompasses health risks associated with extreme weather events, water scarcity, and other climate impacts, linking the discussion to the health and well-being aspects of SDG 3.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The article’s focus on concerns about specific hazards like droughts, floods, intense storms, and rising sea levels highlights the public’s perception of vulnerability to these events, which is a precursor to building resilience and adaptive capacity.
   • Target 13.3: “Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.” The survey data presented in the article is a direct measure of public awareness regarding climate change impacts. The finding that “those with at least an upper secondary education are more likely… to say their local area is affected” underscores the connection between education and climate awareness.

2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.4: “By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.” The article’s finding that “Droughts or water shortages are the top concern in all countries except Nigeria” directly reflects the challenge of water scarcity that this target aims to address. The high level of public concern indicates the urgency of ensuring sustainable water supplies.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… caused by disasters, including water-related disasters…” The article measures the level of public concern about “floods or intense storms” and “rising sea levels,” which are major disasters that impact communities. The widespread fear of being “personally harmed” aligns with the goal of reducing the number of people affected by such events.

4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.d: “Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.” Global climate change is a significant global health risk. The article’s data on the “large majorities” who are concerned that climate change will “harm them personally” can be interpreted as public perception of this health risk, highlighting the need for risk reduction and management strategies.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the survey data presented in the article serves as a set of perception-based indicators that can measure awareness and concern, which are crucial for progress on the identified targets.

1. For SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   • Indicator: Percentage of the population that perceives climate change is affecting their local area. The article states, “A median of 74% of adults across nine middle-income countries say global climate change is affecting the area where they live.”
   • Indicator: Percentage of the population concerned about personal harm from climate change. The article notes, “Large majorities are concerned that global climate change will harm them personally at some point during their lifetime.”

2. For SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

   • Indicator: Percentage of the population identifying droughts and water shortages as their primary climate concern. The article provides a specific metric: “a median of 47% point to droughts or water shortages” as their main concern. It also tracks this concern over time, noting for example that in Turkey, “73% today say droughts worry them most, up from 35% in 2015.”

3. For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

   • Indicator: Percentage of the population concerned about floods, intense storms, or rising sea levels. The article provides medians for these concerns: “19% say floods or intense storms, and 7% say rising sea levels.” This data reflects the perceived risk from disasters affecting communities.

4. For SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

   • Indicator: Percentage of the population expressing concern about personal harm from climate change. This is a direct measure of perceived health risk. The article provides detailed data, such as “90% of adults or more in Brazil and Indonesia express this concern.”

4. Summary Table of Findings

Source: pewresearch.org