Local experiences significantly shape how coastal communities in Kerala, India, understand and respond to climate change. While global efforts to communicate about climate change often rely on top-down, uniform messaging, a recent study reveals that people in different coastal areas may experience and interpret climate change in unique ways. This research, published in the journal Ocean & Coastal Management, highlights a gap between public awareness of climate change and the scientific understanding of its causes. By examining the perceptions and knowledge of people in two distinct coastal regions—Vypin, a low-lying island, and Kozhikode, a mainland coastal area—researchers found that local experiences, rather than scientific terminology, often drive how people understand climate impacts. In Vypin, residents expressed concerns about rising sea levels, frequent flooding, and land sinking. In contrast, people in Kozhikode were more focused on declining fish populations and changes in fish sizes, such as smaller sardines. These differences show that even within similar geographic and socioecological settings, people can have distinct experiences and concerns. The study also found that many participants connected climate change to local issues like deforestation, pollution, and urbanization. Some viewed climate change through religious or cultural lenses, linking it to divine punishment or the end of the world. Others mistakenly believed that local environmental issues, such as plastic waste, were the primary cause of climate change. These perspectives are not simply signs of ignorance, but rather reflections of how communities use culturally embedded ways to understand complex and uncertain global issues. According to doctoral researcher P. Afna from the Indian Institute of Forest Management, these local understandings can influence people’s sense of agency—how they believe they can act to address climate change. However, some misconceptions may lead individuals to feel overly responsible for solving a problem that is largely driven by larger systemic factors. This could shift attention away from the need for government and industry action, such as providing climate finance or adaptation support. Despite these challenges, the study also highlights the active responses of coastal communities. Participants described a range of actions, from planting mangroves to reducing plastic waste and implementing coastal protection measures. In Vypin, for example, residents identified mangroves as a way to reduce erosion and protect their homes. The study found that 65% of participants in Vypin felt they could take action against climate change, compared to only 16.25% in Kozhikode. These findings suggest that local knowledge and community-driven efforts play a crucial role in addressing climate challenges. The researchers argue that climate communication must move beyond broad, scientific messaging and instead connect with people’s lived experiences and local values. They emphasize the importance of integrating scientific knowledge with local and indigenous perspectives to create more effective and inclusive communication strategies. This includes using locally adapted materials, participatory dialogues, and co-produced knowledge with communities. By doing so, policymakers and communicators can better support coastal communities in their efforts to adapt to and respond to climate change.