Correio dos Açores – How important is it to mark World Environmental Education Day, especially when climate and resource crises are becoming more pressing?
Maria da Anunciação Mateus Ventura (Professor/researcher at the University of the Azores) – As you rightly point out, today we are facing an unprecedented environmental crisis in an era that scientists are already calling the “Age of the Anthropocene,” in other words, we are living in an era with major environmental challenges, with repercussions on our health and quality of life, motivated above all by human activities. Biodiversity is disappearing much faster than expected and desirable, and our continued existence depends heavily on the balance of ecosystems. So we’re talking about huge challenges that the new generations will have to face, and technology won’t always be able to respond to all of them. Even if it does, it will take time and have unbearable costs for the billions of humans living on the planet. Therefore, the creation of this day by the United Nations aims to promote environmental literacy among the younger generations and to raise global awareness about sustainability and the preservation of the environment.


Given the archipelago’s specific characteristics, what is Environmental Education’s relevance in Azorean?
The Azores are an island and outermost region that faces two major challenges: scarcity of territory and isolation. So, for example, to build landfills, we have to occupy areas of land that cannot be put to any other use for a long time. That’s why we must reduce waste production to increase landfills’ lifespan. It’s as easy as following the recommendations of local authorities and separating waste that can be recycled, including organic waste that can easily be turned into agricultural compost. Another aspect to consider in an island region is the scarcity of important resources, such as drinking water and energy sources. The former is not a problem in the Azores but could become one soon if demand increases and aquifers lose quality. As for energy, although it is already possible to produce some using renewable sources, most islands still use fossil fuels, resulting in undesirable polluting emissions. In short, environmental education is fundamental for global awareness, just as it is for any other region.
What environmental issues do you consider the most urgent in the region, and what factors make them so challenging?
As I mentioned above, drinking water, waste, and energy are three fundamental axes for any region’s environment, and they contribute greatly to measuring our ecological footprint. The low population density of the Azores has kept these indicators at acceptable levels. Still, with the boom in tourism, which in 2023 reached the figure of 1.2 million visitors, these indicators will certainly undergo changes which, if mitigating measures are not taken, could, in the short term, cause imbalances in the region’s environment.
How has science and research in Ecology, Conservation, and Sustainable Development contributed to effectively protecting the Azorean ecosystems through public policies, good practices, and greater public awareness?
Research in the areas you mention has increased exponentially precisely because of the current situation. Science is trying to respond to some of the environmental challenges we face. Still, on a planet inhabited by 8 billion human beings, it is difficult to promptly meet all these challenges. For example, the first results of studies aimed at selecting organisms that can eliminate unwanted plastics from our environment are now beginning to emerge. However, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it is estimated that approximately 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year, or around 22,000 tons a day. At this rate, it will be very difficult to reverse the heavy consequences that this type of pollution has on the environment, even with solutions based on scientific knowledge. Hence, each of us needs to behave more responsibly. And those who say plastics mean consumption of all kinds. For example, the concept of ‘fast fashion’ has also entered our vocabulary, but does anyone know where used and discarded clothing goes? This is also becoming a huge global problem, where poorer regions serve as a dumping ground for the consumerism discarded by richer regions. An example is happening in some areas of Africa and the Atacama Desert in Chile, where tons of discarded clothes accumulate, mainly from developed countries.


How can economic activities—particularly tourism—be reconciled with natural resource conservation to guarantee a sustainable balance for the archipelago?
This huge challenge must be managed meticulously to ensure that the Azores do not lose their greatest tourist asset, nature. It goes without saying that tourism brings economic wealth to the region, but it also has an impact on the environment. In a population of just over 200,000, we’re talking about an increase of 1 million people, producing waste and consuming resources. In addition to this, and considering that studies have shown that “nature” is the main attraction for those who visit us, we also have to consider the impacts of the tourist activities practiced there. In short, tourism growth is important, but it must consider all the factors that contribute to the region’s capacity to accommodate this growth. Tourism load capacity studies, nature sports charters, and other instruments for assessing the region’s tourism offer must be considered to ensure that the Azores are sustainable destinations.
Can you highlight any initiatives in the Azores that promote the active participation of citizens in protecting the environment?
For example, coastal clean-up actions promoted by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and citizens’ groups are always well attended, especially by the younger generation. In fact, the role of these environmental NGOs in promoting citizens’ active participation in actions to conserve biodiversity and protect the environment should be highlighted.
In your experience, have schools and universities invested enough in environmental education programs and activities?
The primary school program includes educational activities to create environmental awareness in children about the world around them. As we progress through the education system, students begin to diverge more towards the natural sciences or the literature and humanities, and there begins to be a divergence in their environmental literacy. In order to evaluate this assumption, the University of the Azores is part of a consortium of Portuguese universities, led by the University of Madeira, in a project funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) entitled “Evaluation and Promotion of Environmental Culture in Higher Education,” which aims to characterize and understand the environmental literacy of higher education students in Portugal. At the end of this project, I’ll be in a better position to answer your question, especially about students attending higher education in Portugal and the Azores.


As a professor, how do you describe students’ receptiveness to environmental issues over the last few years and their evolution in sensitivity to them?
The evolution has been positive because information is now available on the Internet and circulates on social networks. Hence, it’s no longer possible to ignore the problems that exist on a local and global scale.
What final message would you like to leave on this World Environmental Education Day?
I would like to appeal to the population to exercise active citizenship to the issues surrounding and afflicting us. Get involved in local actions because acting locally contributes to a better world. Pass the message on to other family members and friends so that they can contribute to these actions for improvement.
What we are currently experiencing is, above all, a crisis of values. People only demonstrate to demand rights, but they rarely question their duties to society and to others. They don’t stop to think about how they can contribute to the common good, and they often don’t reflect on the consequences of their actions and the impact this can have on others. That’s why we need to stop, reflect, and act responsibly in the face of our challenges.


Daniela Canha is a journalist for Correio dos Açores newspaper-Natalino Viveiros, director.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES,