Homem, natureza e sensibilidades ambientais: as concepções de áreas naturais protegidas

Abstract

The thesis discusses the naturalization of the current notion of environmentally protected areas. In order to show the historical and thus plural dimensionality of the idea of protected natural areas, it examines the founding discourses that were at play at the time of the creation of Yellowstone and of the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia. The analysis of this material demonstrates the passing away of the representations of nature and natural reserves that were dominant in the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, according to which the natural environment constituted a propitious scenario for the ethical, aesthetic, religious, cognitive and civic formation of humankind. The further development of ideas on this topic resulted in the dominance of an environmental sensibility that in contrast to the previous approach emphasizes the importance of the isolation of these areas vis a vis human presence as the basis of the defence of the intrinsic value of biodiversity.