Analise do papel da educação ambiential na gestão dos impactos socio-ambientais da areeiro de Guava-Marracuene

Abstract

The present study aims to analyse the role of the environmental education in managing the socio-environmental impacts of the Guava sandpit. To conduct the research a qualitative approach of exploratory nature and a non-probability sampling were employed, and the method of selecting the nine participants sample was intentional. The data collection techniques used were the semi-structured interview and the direct observation, as well as the Bardin’s content analysis technique (1997) to analyse the data collected. The results of this study show that the Guava Sandpit Association conducts awareness-raising activities for vendors and residents living in the vicinity, despite not having a documented environmental education programme. This leads to the conclusion that the Association carries out awareness-raising actions to avoid risks and not to raise awareness or knowledge as such about environmental issues to the target groups. Furthermore, it was also concluded that the mechanical blasting mechanism used for sand extraction causes negative impacts related to the depreciation of air quality due to dust clouds and erosion. Thus, it is recommended that there should be created an environmental education programme which will allow awareness-raising actions to contribute towards knowledge building on environmental issues amongst residents and vendors so that they may take informed decisions related to their quality of life.