Educação ambiental popular: possibilidade metodológica para problematização das questões socioambientais no Igarapé da Fortaleza/AP

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on Environmental Education, from the perspective of Popular Education, with a focus on socio-environmental issues in the Igarapé of Fortaleza/AP. The Igarapé da Fortaleza is a population cluster, divided by a river of the same denomination, which presents a sui generis aspect: a part of it is located in the municipality of Macapá, by the left margin, in an Environmental Protection Area, called APA Fazendinha, with 2,063 inhabitants. In the other margin, in the municipality of Santana, it has a recognized urban area, with 4,222 inhabitants, identified as the Fortaleza neighbourhood. This scenario crystallises an important contradiction: although it is part of a preservation area, this did not prevent anthropization, with high degradation. On the other hand, there is a conflict in the fulfilment of functions between the two spheres of municipal governments with the formulation and execution of public policies for the improvement of life and the area. It has been evidenced, in that space, the occurrence of serious environmental problems, such as the disposal of the sanitary waste directly in the rivers; as well as open-air sewage, garbage disposal in backyards and the access roads themselves, revealing a high level of pollution and possible environmental contamination. Considering this scenario, the research was instigated by the following problem: How can Popular Environmental Education, as a methodological possibility, contribute to the problematization of socio-environmental issues in Fortaleza's Igarapé in the State of Amapá? Based on this question, it was decided to carry out the research to compose the dissertation with the general objective of analysing whether the Popular Environmental Education, as a methodological possibility, can contribute to the problematization of socio-environmental issues in the Igarapé of Fortaleza. The research was based on historical and dialectical methods and was based on the qualitative approach. The activities carried out in the field were inspired by the Culture Circle, idealized by Paulo Freire. The focus group was used, having as inductors of the discussions, subjects related to water, garbage and sewage, presented through images of the daily life of the participants, being attributed to them the freedom of participation and manifestation that are presuppositions of Popular Education. The survey participants are residents of Fortaleza's own Igarapé, aged over 18 years, but there was no defined number. Among the results, the research pointed out that the socio-environmental issues in Fortaleza's Igarapé result from the disordered occupation of that space, despite being located in an Environmental Protection Area. The pedagogical practice performed with the residents was presented as a viable alternative to unveil situations, often invisible and experienced by people who feel the harshness of a perverse reality. Thus, this applied practice can be stimulated and replicated to similar realities that afflict other regions of the state of Amapá, considering that it allows for discussions related to any topic and that lacks some collective intervention - be it social, environmental, political, economic, cultural or any other