Ações de educação ambiental na instalação de uma usina hidrelétrica na região noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

This study aimed to study environmental education in the installation of a hydroelectric power plant in northwestern of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. From the theoretical reflection: the energy and environmental issues, sustainable development and environmental education in this process, this research examined the proposal for environmental education implemented in the process of installing the hydroelectric San Jose, with regard to its purpose and its effectiveness. The research is characterized by its qualitative nature, being in an exploratory and descriptive. As for the means employed to this investigation, the literature search, the primary data collection that occurred through interviews and secondary sources consulted in the documents of the hydroelectric plant and official sites. The data was made by content analysis. The research is also characterized as a case study. Outlining the discussions of power generation, it appears that the hydroelectric play an important role, given its ability to generate action and the fact it is one of the cleanest - as compared to fossil fuels, for example - however, not discusses why energy demand is ever increasing, not discussing the rational and efficient use of energy. From reflections on the theoretical framework and analysis of the environmental education program developed by the project studied, it is clear that environmental education was an important part in the context of building the dam and in the list of environmental programs developed.