Environmental Beliefs and Expectations in Latin America

The paper Environmental Beliefs and Expectations in Latin America addresses citizens' perceptions and attitudes towards climate change and its impact in the region. Through the integration of opinion studies based on longitudinal surveys, such as the World Values Survey, and international comparative studies conducted by networks like WIN, GIA, and Latinobarómetro, the paper provides an in-depth analysis of social perceptions regarding the environment, the causes of global warming, and the effectiveness of governmental policies in this area.

The research identifies that, although environmental issues are not spontaneously mentioned as a top priority in the region, there is a strong belief that economic growth can be reconciled with environmental protection. This reflects a growing awareness of the importance of sustainable development and the need for policies that balance these two aspects.

Regarding the causes of climate change, the study highlights that a significant majority of citizens in the region attribute this phenomenon to human actions. Moreover, extreme events such as floods and droughts are perceived as concrete evidence of climate change, which underscores the urgency for decisive action on this issue.

The paper also points out that, despite high awareness of climate change, there is a division of opinion regarding the ability to take effective action against it. This polarization is accompanied by widespread criticism of governments for their lack of effective measures to address the climate crisis. The study concludes that in order to tackle environmental challenges, greater cooperation between civil society, the private sector, and governments is essential.