Pollution in portuguese primary and secondary textbooks of biology and geography

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to analyse the progression of the topic Pollution along the 12 years of Portuguese primary and secondary school, since the 1st year (5/6 years old) up to the 12th school year (16/17 years old), giving special attention to “Impact on humankind”, “Economic consequences”, “Social risks”, “Aesthetic values” and “Ethic, moral and cultural motivations”. Results showed that textbooks highlight the planet as a resource for humankind instead of a planet as a resource shared with other living beings. Moreover they give emphasis to the negative impact of Pollution in the ecosystems and humankind rather than point out the problems and how to solve them in order to contribute to a sustainable environment.