Perception of Rio Branco-Acre society in relation to climate change and extreme local events

Abstract

The objective of this study was to generate information about the environmental perception of the residents of Rio Branco, Acre, and thus contribute to the development of public policies aimed at the conservation of the local environment. In specific terms, the research aimed to: (a) Identify and analyze the relationship between the theme of climate change and the extreme events that occurred in the region from the perception of the target audience; (b) Characterize the level of perception regarding the climatic characteristics of the region, as well as the way (or if) it associates the felt changes of the climate in the last years; and (c) Check how the climate change theme has been understood by residents. To this end, data were collected from the application of a questionnaire applied to 273 interviewees, structured in twenty closed questions, ten of which combined with open questions. From the results generated, it can be inferred that: (a) In general, the ability to discern the sampled population is very perceptive; (b) Most of the population considers that extreme events are occurring more frequently in the region and that these events are also attributed to human activities; and (c) Most respondents pointed out that the local climate has changed since their residence in the municipality. Despite having this environmental awareness, more than half of the interviewees stated that they do not act to reduce their impact on the climate.