ENVIRONMENTAL PERCEPTION IN A MUNICIPALITY IN WESTERN AMAZONIA

Abstract

Environmental perception is the way individuals and social groups understand, feel, and interpret the environment around them. This process is influenced by cultural, social, historical, and psychological factors, which shape the way each person perceives and relates to space and natural elements. It is not limited to passive observation of the environment, but involves an active interaction, where memories, values, experiences and accumulated knowledge influence attitudes and behaviors towards the environment. Thus, two people can experience the same place very differently, depending on their experiences. Environmental education, on the other hand, is a crucial point for mitigating the problems that human beings have been causing to the environment in which they live, its understanding and applicability contributes to the formation of citizens aware of the preservation of the environment and able to make collective decisions on environmental issues necessary for the development of a sustainable society. This article aims to evaluate the level of knowledge and environmental perception of the citizens of Colorado do Oeste, both in urban and rural areas, about concepts, practices and perception of environmental problems. For this, a questionnaire was applied to 100 people with closed questions in a random way on the streets of the municipality. It is concluded that some environmental concepts are not clear to the research participants, as well as only 20% of the research participants are aware that their actions cause some environmental impact. From this perspective, the strengthening and expansion of actions that excel in raising awareness and environmental education both in school and non-school spaces are urgent.