A importância da educação ambiental na gestão de resíduos sólidos e redução de riscos de desastres

Abstract

Natural disaster events, such as hydro-meteorological phenomena, are becoming increasingly frequent and extreme. The lack of environmental education among the population regarding the proper disposal of solid waste obstructs drainage systems, thereby exacerbating these disasters. This study aimed to analyse the role of schools in environmental education in managing solid waste and preventing flood and inundation risks. The research was conducted with students from public schools located in the Cuiá River basin, Mangabeira neighbourhood, in the urban area of João Pessoa, Paraíba. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, aligned with the purpose of environmental awareness in the context of the study, to collect primary data, with selection criteria based on location, previous disaster risk events, and to assess their involvement in projects or initiatives with local institutions, as well as partnerships with neighbouring communities, including activities focused on environmental awareness and education. The research was carried out in six schools: three public and three private. The public schools included two municipal schools catering to the Fundamental I, Fundamental II, and Secondary Education levels, and one state school offering Fundamental II and Secondary Education. The private schools included one that spanned all levels from Early Childhood Education to Secondary Education, and two that did not include Early Childhood Education, starting from Fundamental I up to Secondary Education. Eight individuals were interviewed per school, totalling 48 participants, including school management, teachers, administrative staff, general service workers, students, and parents. The inclusion of different socioeconomic levels further enriched the research, providing valuable diverse understandings and perspectives for a more comprehensive understanding of school and community dynamics. The data collected indicate that the majority of the respondents were women. To identify and relate the factors influencing flooding and inundation around the Cuiá River to environmental and socioeconomic issues, the PEIR (Pressure – State – Impact – Response) sustainability indicator system was applied. The data collected highlights the effectiveness of the public cleaning system implementation, but also indicates inadequate waste disposal in public spaces by social actors, exacerbated by a lack of control and oversight of these disposals. The highlighted results are highly relevant for the formulation of public policies and the implementation of local actions. For the problems identified, the following recommendations are made: curriculum integration with interdisciplinary projects; active environmental education with practical activities; partnerships with specialists; the use of technology for interactive activities; awareness campaigns on waste disposal and flood prevention; sustainable infrastructure in schools; and continuous evaluation of adopted practices through prior educational planning.