Deepening environmental crisis: when prevention and environmental responsibility measures do not work

Abstract

The article reports the results of qualitative research, with a Phenomenological design and Interpretative paradigm regarding the worsening of the environmental crisis when prevention and environmental responsibility measures do not work in the district of Sayán, department of Lima, Peru. The study convened eight participants who were interviewed in depth in an inductive and in-depth process. The categories were: 1. environmental pollution; 2. preventive approach; 3. environmental responsibility; and 4. environmentally friendly technologies. The data obtained went through a process of codification, analysis, interpretation and discussion of results with the help of Atlas.ti. It is concluded that Sayán, despite being located in a mostly rural area with little presence of modern urban activities, is polluted, with the presence of solid and chemical waste in the streets, excessive use of fertilizers in the fields, among other highly polluting components; there is an evident worsening if relevant measures are not taken. Municipal ordinances that prohibit irresponsible environmental human actions are ineffective in stopping air, soil and water contamination rates. Educational institutions are not effectively complying with the preventive approach and do not have environmental accounting implemented, nor is the use of information and communication technologies to support dealing with the ever-increasing environmental pollution. People generally show attitudes and behaviors that go against the care of the environment.