Himachal Pradesh

This project characterized perceptions of exposure and vulnerability to climate change among lifelong residents of Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh. We examined local climate data and interviewed rural and urban residents to identify and map perceived exposures and vulnerabilities to climate change. Residents reported shorter winters and decreased precipitation and attributed these changes to human activity. Most residents expressed willingness to make personal lifestyle changes to address climate change. We also determined that the villages’ vulnerability to climate change is primarily due to lack of income opportunities outside of subsistence agriculture.