Current state of water education and culture: a systematic mapping of literature

Abstract

The problems related to the environment, especially to water resources, are increasingly evident; over the years the problem has advanced without having a point of return, from this point onwards education has begun to be seen as a fundamental aspect for the development of a culture towards water, generating more consistent and committed human beings with the environment. The purpose of this article is to investigate the current state of research on water education and culture; therefore, it contains the results of a systematic review and mapping of literature in relation to education and culture towards water. In this sense, 7 questions were posed, organized in two dimensions (cultural and educational). The mapping allowed the selection of 50 studies from different data sources, including contributions about educational and curricular needs, the promotion and purpose of water culture as elements for the construction of beings more aware and committed to the water resource. The need to include interdisciplinary practices and link environmental and water education components in institutions and communities was identified in order to give priority to participation and social commitment to the environment.