Análise da ação civil pública em defesa da Serra do Curral: contribuições da educação ambiental crítica

Abstract

The dissertation entitled "Analysis of the Public Civil Action in Defense of Serra do Curral: Contributions of Critical Environmental Education" has as its main objective to investigate how Critical Environmental Education can be applied in the context of the Public Civil Action filed by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Minas Gerais (MPMG), aiming at the preservation of Serra do Curral, a natural and cultural heritage threatened by mining. The research starts from the analysis of the normative and legal bases, examining the difficulties faced in the effective application of the current environmental standards. The study explores the tensions between economic and environmental interests in the region, focusing on the socioeconomic and cultural implications of extractivism, a historical legacy of colonialism that still influences the practices of exploration and environmental regulation in Brazil. The methodology used was Content Analysis, applied to the legal document of the Public Civil Action, with the objective of identifying elements that can be worked on within a critical perspective of environmental education. The dissertation conducts an investigation into the ontological and epistemological status of environmental standards, questioning the existence and effectiveness of these standards in the face of demands for economic development and environmental preservation. The research also reflects on social participation in environmental licensing processes, highlighting the importance of active and informed citizenship for the promotion of sustainable practices and environmental protection. The results indicate that the application of Critical Environmental Education, based on Freirean principles, offers a transformative approach to dealing with the challenges posed by mineral exploration. The dissertation concludes that it is essential to integrate environmental education into public policies and the educational system, promoting awareness and social engagement in favor of the defense of the environment and the cultural rights of local populations. Finally, it is proposed that the Public Civil Action be used as a pedagogical instrument to strengthen the debate on the preservation of Serra do Curral, demonstrating the central role of critical education in building a more conscious and participatory society.