Abstract:

Public understanding about issues of Global Climate Change (GCC) is little known in Brazil. This understanding was analysed by Public Environmental Perception (PAP) of event visitors "Desapegue-se" (Let it Go) in Edmundo Rego Square in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A questionnaire was randomly applied to study the key concepts of: a) Environment (E); b) Marine Environment (ME); c) Environmental Education (EE); d) Global Climate Changes (GCC); e) Global Warming (GW). The results cover from April-July 2014. There were 82 visitors: mostly women (66%), with higher education (40%) and prevailing salary range of 2-5 times the minimum wage. The majority (70-80%) accurately responded: GCC, GW, E and ME. EE is only perceived as behavioural change by 59% of the visitors. The hypothesis that the public would have adequate conceptual information was confirmed. It is responsibility for the schools to lead the presentation and discussion of GCC.

Keywords:
Climate change; Atlantic Ocean; Environmental perception; Global Warming; Rio de Janeiro