Percepção ambiental sobre mudança climática de estudantes do ensino médio de Manaus

Abstract

Given the contemporary intensification of climate change (CC) and its socio-environmental impacts at global and local scales, it is fundamental to understand how different social groups perceive these dynamics so that intervention measures are effective and efficient. It is important to consider that perceptions are constructed from individual experiences, values, and information obtained in formal and non-formal contexts. Special attention is given to young people, since they play a strategic role in building more sustainable futures. This dissertation aimed to analyze the environmental perception of CC among young high school students in the city of Manaus-AM, seeking to understand how they interpret, give meaning to, and position themselves in relation to contemporary climate issues. The qualitative research used a survey and a focus group discussion, both applied at the students' own school. Participants were 118 young people aged 15 to 19 years (57% male). The results indicate that participants partially recognize the existence of CC, but their recognition is not in-depth and is frequently interpreted in a fragmented way, whether in its concept or in understanding its causes and consequences. Although participants proposed ways to address the climate crisis, these remain superficial formulations and narrative clichés commonly disseminated on social media, which, in many cases, are not directly associated with the climate issue of greenhouse gas emissions and extreme events but rather with environmental issues, especially those related to waste production. Furthermore, when considering awareness-raising actions for other young people, these participants emphasized the need to change attitudes to avoid harmful future consequences. In this sense, the current issue of adapting to the effects of climate change seems nonexistent for these participants. Based on these results, the importance of strengthening contextualized, interdisciplinary educational strategies connected to the Amazonian reality is highlighted for the formation of more conscious individuals, capable of understanding the complexity of climate change and acting responsibly in the face of current climate challenges.