Ideas on sustainable development of students from a government-run school in Pombal, Paraíba

Abstract

Understanding sustainable development and its implications is basic for students´ environmental awareness. Current analysis evaluates concepts on sustainable development of 30 high school student from a government-run school in Pombal, Paraíba, Brazil. Data were collected by a questionnaire on the concept of sustainable development. Further, 63.3% of interviewed students could not give an opinion on the subject. Students (36.7%) who declared knowledge on the concept linked it to environmental (13.3%) or social and environmental (13.3%) or to economic aspects (6.7%). Current study shows that, in spite of the dissemination of environmental issues, most students failed to know the meaning of sustainable development or they understood the meaning failed to do so adequately in all its dimensions. Educational activities for the improvement of knowledge on the subject and which stimulate positive actions within the environment are essential for the development of more sustainable societies.

Keywords

• meio ambiente
• semiárido
• sustentabilidade