Environmental transformations in Latin America, a critical review of the sustainable practices in the territories

Abstract

Sustainable practices are a set of behavioral strategies aimed at satisfying human needs within a specific historical, cultural, and community framework, emphasizing the harmonious relationship with the natural environment, society, and culture. These practices are considered fundamental pillars in the promotion of sustainable behaviors in local, urban, rural, educational, and other communities, adopting a participatory approach for their implementation. In a context such as Latin America and the Caribbean, the need to incorporate sustainable practices arises from the environmental challenges generated by the historical processes of extractivist development dissociated from native cultures, making it necessary to rethink development models towards approaches that prioritize equity, ethics, and environmental justice. The study aims to identify research on the theoretical and procedural approach to sustainable practices in LATAM context. A systematic review of 200 academic articles addressing the theoretical and procedural approaches to these practices in Latin America during the period 2010–2024 is carried out. The results, organized by year of publication, type of study, data collection methods, and study populations, reveal how sustainable practices have evolved and strengthened in diverse inclusive contexts, such as educational, peasant, and indigenous communities. This analysis provides a detailed overview of the current landscape of environmental sustainability, contributing significantly to academic knowledge and serving as a basis for future research and public policies aimed at fostering a cultural transformation towards a more equitable, just, and responsible community development with nature.