A research was developed to evaluate the environmental perception of individuals living in Itaperuna City, located in the northwest region of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Between July and October 2005 a total of 243 individuals were interviewed concerning issues such as individual/environmental relation; individual actions in favor to environmental education; individual actions in favor to environmental area; concern about environmental impact and consumption; personal customs and environment. Based on the analysis of the answers of the individuals, a greater environmental perception was observed in elder individuals in relation to children and young adults. This result demonstrate that environmental education programs in this region should be focused on children and adolescents, in order to make these individuals more conscientious adults, since interviewed individuals presented great interest concerning environment issues and willingness to participate in campaigns and actions of environmental recovering.
Perception; Environmental Education; Health
