ABSTRACT
Environmental perception studies provide researchers, public agents and educators with a better understanding of values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours of a given population. Additional issues, such as options to be taken, e.g., to implement projects that promote economic development or that aim at environmental protection, can be on the agenda. From a community perspective, such studies are used to define priorities for investment and governmental action. Since the 1970’s, communities have increasingly taken responsibility in managing and implementing actions. These actions would otherwise not be accomplished, due to the complexity of environmental challenges and difficulties the government experiences in responding to public demands. Not surprisingly, many international and national multilateral organizations have been given preference to projects that involve the direct participation of communities in solving their problems. The assumption is made that only the local community can identify the issues that affect them and put forward the best solutions along with their commitment to the proposed actions (Jacobi 1996).
