Brazilians think that environmental protection is poor

A survey announced by the World Wildlife Fund in Brazil (WWF Brazil) at the World Parks Congress in Sydney, Australia, found that 82% of Brazilians think wildlife in the country is not receiving the protection it needs. The study was conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics (IBOPE), a leading Latin American polling firm.

According to the survey, only 11% of Brazilians think the environment is appropriately protected in the country. A remaining 7% of respondents were not sure what they think of the issue.

Asked about whose job it is to protect the environment, 74% of respondents said conservancy is a responsibility of the government; 46% said think it is everyone's role, and 20% see it as a task for NGOs. Some 6% were unsure.

“Because they pay taxes and all, people tend to see such [environmental protection] tasks as something for the government to deal with. But then there are individuals dumping stuff into the rivers, not using sewerage to dispose of their waste water, disposing of oil out onto the streets – and they're all creating a negative environmental impact, too” says Maria Cecília Brito, secretary-general for WWF Brazil.

The study found that 58% of respondents take pride in the country's environment and natural resources. According to the WWF executive, this finding suggests that although Brazilians are concerned about the environment, environmental issues do not seem to have the same importance in the political agenda.

“Political debate has been limited and the survey makes it clear that public environmental policies in Brazil fail to address popular concerns. And while Brazilians value their natural landscape, it is not a priority for governments,” Brito said.

The WWF survey was conducted during the second half of October with 2,000 respondents in all regions of the country.

Translated by Mayra Borges