Environmental education in the context of sustainable water resource management

Abstract

The population covered by the hydrographic basins of the Piracicaba, Capivari, and Jundiaí rivers is exposed to continuous episodes of water scarcity. The imbalance of supply to demand could have originated in the increase in consumption, reduction in the volume of rainfall and water stocks in the reservoirs, or even in the confluence of these with other factors. Achieving sustainability and water security, therefore, depends on efficient management plans. In this article, the authors propose to evaluate the contribution of Environmental Education in the context of sustainable management of water resources. Based on the data analysis collected in the Reports of the Hydrographic Basins of the Piracicaba, Capivari, and Jundiaí rivers and Law 9433/97, which instituted the National Policy on Water Resources, they search evidence of the correlation between values, education, and awareness regarding the use of water resources. However, although foreseen, Environmental Education practices are not part of the list of measures to mitigate water scarcity in the analyzed context.