The percentage of Brazilians who believe that the country has no environmental problems fell from 47 percent in 1992 to 11 percent in 2012. These statistics were gathered through a survey by the Environment Ministry which measures public perceptions of nature and sustainable consumption.

The survey found that 48 percent of interviewees sort their trash for recycling, and that 28 percent consider waste to be the biggest environmental problem facing Brazil.

In addition, 28 percent said they were proud of the nature in their country, but 53 percent said they did not know what sustainable development is.

“Since 1992 we have carried out this survey five times. We have observed a positive evolution in people’s perceptions, but we still face the challenge of informing and convincing more people about environmental issues,” Samyra Crespo of the Environment Ministry told Tierramérica.