Conexão com a natureza e suas implicações nas percepções ambientais sobre as queimadas da floresta amazônica

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to understand the implication of the degrees of Connection with Nature (CN) in Environmental Perceptions (AP) about fires in the Amazon in graduate students in environmental sciences at an HEI in Amazonas. NC is understood as the emotional connection of individuals with nature, this level of connection reflects in attitudes of care and environmental protection. PA is, in turn, understood as the structuring and organization of the interior with the exterior from the interest and need that each individual carries with him, based on that, this information is perceived, stored and receives its meanings. Thus, we start from the assumption that NC levels can be considered determining factors in the PA's of graduate students on anthropogenic fires in the Amazon forest. This is an exploratory research with a multi-method approach. An integral part of the research is a semi-structured questionnaire (online-google Forms), with open and closed questions, referring to sociodemographic data, questions related to PA's on forest fires, in addition to the scales: of reduced Connection with Nature (NR-6), Inclusion of Nature in the Self (INS), in addition to Forest Values (EVF). The study included 48 graduate students in environmental sciences (26 women and 22 men) aged between 25 and 69 years. The data found were submitted to Content Analysis for categorization, for open questions. While the closed ones, as well as the scales, were analyzed through inferential statistics. All quantitative analyzes used Microsoft Excel and the R Statistical Software for the analysis procedures. The results show that whatever the sources, the threat posed to the forest by the burning process is always related to land use. This use is based on an exacerbated economic interest, demonstrated by the large exploitation of products and the maintenance of mechanisms that subsidize the exploitation (roads, hydroelectric plants, etc.). When we seek to analyze the destruction/reduction of the forest and all its biodiversity, we understand that this destruction is mainly related to fires and deforestation, anthropic actions arising from human activities. These students show high levels of belonging to the forest, so before the Connection with nature-CN construct, the results achieved by the scales used showed that students have high levels of CN, however this connection is intense between the cognitive and affective dimensions of the construct, and reflecting in actions to care for nature at lower levels. When we related the interference of the NC in the PAs, it was not possible to reach the relationship between the constructs, within the analyzed population. This conclusion can be related to the physical limitations of the research data collection process imposed by the covid-19 pandemic, affecting mainly the number of students who participated in the research, as well as the psychological and social barriers present among the students.