Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part M (2025)

Climate change has emerged as a critical global challenge with significant local impacts in urban areas. Effective mitigation of climate change requires both heightened awareness and decisive action from the public. This study examines the perceptions of young people regarding climate change, alongside their beliefs and behaviors related to its mitigation. Responses were collected from over 500 students in Delhi through an online survey. The findings indicate a high level of awareness and concern, reflected in pro-environmental behaviors such as energy conservation and the use of public transportation, although engagement in formal activism, including membership in environmental organizations, was limited. More than 90% of respondents considered climate change to be personally important, with 78.7% expressing feelings of worry and outrage. Nearly half (47.2%) reported experiencing personal health effects attributed to environmental issues and showed strong support for renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, government subsidies, and enhanced leadership from both government and business sectors. These results depict a highly engaged yet frustrated youth demographic that perceives climate change as an immediate personal threat and calls for systemic action. The implications of these findings are significant for policy development, media strategies, and youth mobilization efforts in urban India.