The environmental perception as an analysis tool in the study of the impacts of agricultural activity in the municipality of Pitimbu/PB

Abstract

This article, which addresses the society-nature relationship within a territory marked by agricultural activity, aims to analyze the environmental perception of the population on the environmental impacts arising from agriculture in the municipality of Pitimbu/PB. The methodological procedures used were bibliographical, documental and empirical research. The results indicate that, despite living in a municipality with numerous agricultural properties and surrounded by monoculture sugarcane plantations, the population cannot correlate the environmental impacts existing in Pitimbu/PB with the agriculture developed in the municipality. It is observed that, although the agricultural practice is an activity of high impact on the environment, the main impacts identified were the inadequate disposal of solid waste and water pollution, associated, above all, with the lack of awareness of the population and the tourist activity. With regard to agriculture, the population can associate air pollution with the fires that occur on agricultural properties. Moreover, despite the understanding shown by the population of the need to adjust their attitudes towards the environment, the public sphere is still seen as the main responsible for the resolution of environmental issues, whether by promoting environmental education campaigns, greater public investments or greater supervision of the competent bodies.