How is climate shaping our cities?

Cities will play a crucial role in climate action in India, with forecasts suggesting that 53% of the population—about 416 million people—will live in urban areas by 2050. These cities are also highly exposed to climate risks. Between 2036 and 2060, 33 of 57 major urban locations are expected to see increased extreme rainfall and flood risks, while 24 cities may experience decreased precipitation. Additionally, heat waves and warm nights are becoming more common, compounding the challenges faced by urban dwellers.

In this context, Kundan Pandey , Senior Editor at Mongabay-India, and Staff Writer Simrin Sirur talk about how urban development and climate change reporting has evolved, the challenges faced, and the strategies needed for impactful storytelling.

A changing landscape

"Traditionally, climate change reporting in India has focused on rural areas. Urban coverage was mostly limited to crisis response like floods and pollution. But this is changing now." - Kundan Pandey

Kundan emphasised that climate change is no longer a rural issue in India. Cities, as major economic drivers and centres of consumption, are drawing attention due to their vulnerability to climate impacts and their potential for mitigation efforts. However, the diverse governance structures of cities make reporting complex, with each city requiring a unique lens for coverage.

According to Simrin, it’s becoming more difficult to discuss urban issues without considering future climate impacts.?

"Cities are coming up with climate action plans to make accounting for climate change a pillar of urban development, which wasn't the case in the past. It'a also a big talking point internationally, which is pushing countries like India to consider how it will make cities more resilient." - Simrin Sirur

Cities have addressed climate change impacts on an ad-hoc basis, focusing on short-term solutions and managing public perception. However, major cities?like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and a few others have prepared climate action plans, while others, such as Delhi, have integrated environmental sustainability into the draft Master Plan 2041, Kundan explains.

"There are efforts to restore ponds and lakes, and there is a growing emphasis on electric vehicles to reduce traffic-related emissions. The momentum is building around a conversation about urban landscape and climate change. It will only increase in the coming years." - Kundan Pandey

Building the narrative

When it comes to urban audiences, Simrin believes that narratives focused on people and their everyday needs resonate most. Urban infrastructure often serves as public goods, and when these goods are substandard or captured by elites, it’s the common people who suffer. By telling stories that center around those who are directly affected, climate change reporting becomes more relatable and impactful.

Simrin's story on Devi Prasad Ahirwar,?a security guard who fell into a coma from heat stroke, revealed the complexities of vulnerability influenced by socio-economic factors, healthcare accessibility, and employer response during crises. It illuminated the disproportionate impact of heat waves on vulnerable populations like the poor.?

"The angle I wanted to take with this story was to meticulously peel back the layers that contribute to a person's vulnerability, which includes their socio-economic backgrounds, awareness of health schemes, access to water, and even how their employers respond when there's an emergency.?" - Simrin Sirur

Whether it's children unable to visit parks due to extreme heat, or textile workers in Surat coping with rising temperatures , storytelling that reflects lived experiences resonates most with readers, explains Kundan.

"Urban readers are now increasingly showing interest in climate change, especially when they read articles in simple, relatable terms."?- Kundan Pandey

From politicians and businessmen to ordinary citizens, everyone has an interest in cities and desires to learn more about the evolving urban landscape . For journalists, this presents an opportunity for to satisfy this curiosity. We have a vast canvas to select a character and craft a story, Kundan notes.

Role of local governance

Maintaining a balance between scientific accuracy and reader engagement is always a challenge.?By translating complex scientific concepts into relatable narratives , journalists can help readers understand the broader picture without losing interest, Kundan explains. On the issue of potential bias or misinformation in urban climate stories, Kundan emphasised the need for thorough research and verification and that?transparency from local governments will enhance the quality of reporting.?

Authorities should focus on bringing transparency to their day-to-day activities, providing up-to-date data on their website, and offering journalists exposure to how cities operate.?- Kundan Pandey

Simrin points out that there are still missing links in reporting on urban climate change. She highlights the importance of recognizing patterns in urban governance and development to paint a holistic picture of the root causes.

I also think when actions are proposed in the name of climate resilience, taking a closer look to see who benefits, and following up to see if those plans were followed through, are also useful avenues to look into.?- Simrin Sirur

Make sure to read our next edition, where we'll be having a chat with the Mongabay-Hindi team about the evolution of environmental news reporting in regional languages. Don't miss out!

Thank you,

Saumitra Shinde

Social-Media Coordinator,

Mongabay-India

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