Jammu Faces Climate Crisis as Temperatures Rise 3°C Over Fifteen Years

Jammu has recorded a temperature increase of nearly 3°C over the past fifteen years alongside a 64.7 per cent decline in annual rainfall, placing the region in a high-risk climate category. Educators and researchers are calling for climate change to be embedded in school curricula so communities can anticipate and respond to worsening environmental conditions.

Jammu, once known for a balanced climate, now regularly records temperatures above 42°C during summers that stretch beyond seasonal norms. Annual rainfall has declined by nearly 64.7 per cent, reducing the number of rainy days and creating acute uncertainty for farmers whose livelihoods depend on predictable water cycles. Rising PM2.5 levels have compounded public health concerns, particularly for children and the elderly, while heatwave frequency has increased pressure on infrastructure across the region.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has stated unequivocally that human activities are causing global warming, and Jammu's experience illustrates how climate change translates into daily hardship. UNESCO emphasises that education equips individuals with the knowledge and values needed to respond to environmental challenges. In schools across Jammu, students already observe the heat, water shortages and erratic seasons first-hand, yet formal climate education remains limited, leaving communities reactive rather than prepared.

Researchers and educators argue that incorporating climate change into standard school curricula can shift communities from reactive to proactive responses. When students understand the causes and patterns of environmental change, they can adopt sustainable habits, influence family practices and contribute to local adaptation strategies. Divya Sharma, a doctoral researcher at the University of Jammu, concludes that in a region under increasing climate stress, classroom awareness is among the most cost-effective tools for long-term resilience.

Key figure — 64.7% decline in annual rainfall