Resumo

FERNANDES, Luna Guimarães  e  SANSOLO, Davis Gruber. Environmental perception of the inhabitants of São Vicente city of solid waste in Gonzaguinha Beach, São Paulo, Brazil. RGCI [online]. 2013, vol.13, n.3, pp.379-389. ISSN 1646-8872.  https://doi.org/10.5894/rgci416.

The importance of the coastal zone is remarkable approximately 22% of the population lives in coastal municipalities. Marine and coastal pollution has been widely studied because it is an environmental, economic and public health issue. Solid waste is part of coastal pollution and when its destination is inadequate it can transmit infectious diseases and impact marines and coastal ecosystems and affect the landscape. Tourism is economically important to the city of São Vicente so that in high season the population increases as well as waste production. The landscape alterations also changes the environmental perception, which study may be useful for guiding public policies according to the needs and collective preferences. The aim of this study was to analyze the environmental awareness of workers and visitors of the Gonzaguinha beach in São Vicente (São Paulo) concerning solid waste using the method of interviews. We interviewed 40 people, including 20 workers and 20 visitors in the study area. The concept of “environment” was associated, mainly, to the preservation of nature instead really try to define what it is. The responses probably has contained environmental simbolism and described the study area under a problematic view and with necessity of environmental protection. Producers of solid waste were identified as the Vincentian population itself. Although the majority consider the situation of waste at the site to be “serious”, the responsibility for the proper disposal of this waste was attributed primarily to the government. The identification of packaging and food waste suggests that the source of pollution is the incorrect disposal of products consumed by beach goers. Respondents appear to be aware of the health hazards posed by pollution and pointed other problems such as feces and abandoned animals. They also gave suggestions of government actions like put sorted recycling bins in the beach and give plastic bags to tourists. Some workers says that they already give these bags to the clients. Only twelve respondents mentioned recycling in some of the responses, they were six workers and six visitors, and yet they did not included separation of materials in individual waste management actions. There was no mention of the concept of sustainability nor reducing consumerism as a solution. The results pointed a negative perception by interviewees about the environment of Gonzaguinha beach. The feeling of topophobia identified by feeling repulsion for a polluted environment, can affect tourism. In one testimonial, the municipal government worry about tourism becomes evident, as it distributes plastic bags at the beaches only in summer, the high season. Out of 40 people, 21 have pointed that the population is responsible for the proper disposal of waste, suggesting that the others do not feel responsible for dealing with the waste produced. The proactive behaviour in other responses may be evidence for the expression of social norms in which concerns about pollution includes moral force. The context of an interview with scientific ends about environment and pollution could determine optimistic responses about the conservation and in a position of nature defense. The population seems comprehend the importance of waste management and the individuals attitudes. Still, the combination of individual initiatives presented in this work and public policies to be implemented by the government can result in an efficient strategy of landscape maintenance by reducing the amount of pollutant residues. The workers are key actors in a combined management strategy with the government, whereas they are the most interested in a environment and, consequently, in a satisfied public. The trend of increase urbanization take cities to plan new solutions to the environmental problems in the process of public policies formulation, like dividing the responsibilities into society with the objectives of improve the human development and protect the coastal resources. Studies of environmental perception about these problems indicate if citizens are inclined to get involved in big decisions and take responsibilities. The attribution of responsibilities to themselves in the waste production and environment maintance emphasize that people apparently are inclined to contribute with management, although some responses describes insecurity about doing it alone. The conjunct action is necessary even in respondents view, considering that efficient governance consists in participation of citizens and government and they must be prepare to work to solve collective problems.

Palavras-chave : Coastal zone; beach; preferably collective; coastal pollution; garbage.

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