How A Tiny Central American Country Is Getting Richer And Saving The Environment

[Luminous Animal]

http://occupysydney.visibli.com/share/Apec4F

What would you say if we told you there was a country that used 99.2% renewable energy, has kept is GDP growing for decades, disbanded its military, and transformed itself from one of the most deforested nations in the Western hemisphere to one with forest cover over half its area?

It’s not a trick question. It’s Costa Rica. Amid news of global environmental degradation, the country has shone a spotlight on how certain economic policies and favorable governance can turn a country (at least, a small country in Central America) into a relatively sustainable, modern democracy within a few decades. A review published by the United Nations University suggests Costa Rica’s example can pave the way elsewhere for initiatives such as payments for environmental services (PES) as a tool for poverty reduction, achieving carbon neutrality by 2021, and the Pax Natura (peace with nature) Initiative announced by Costa Rica’s President in 2007 as a basis for ethical environmental commitment.

So how did Costa Rica do it? "The answer seems to lie in a combination of ethics, environmentalism and effective policymaking," writes Robert Blasiak, who cites the decision to redirect funds from the military in 1948 as a turning point. "After 63 years without a military, such a seemingly unconventional decision has proven both brave and useful in channeling additional investment into the country’s social and environmental programs."

[xchrom]

1. Du rec. Nt

[Uncle Joe]

2. Kudos to Costa Rica.

Thanks for the thread, Luminous Animal.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. And it's so beautiful down there.

My daughter and son-in-law spent a year in Costa Rica a couple of years ago and we visited them for two weeks while they were there. It was fabulous. Their daughter was born down there for a fraction of the cost of their son's delivery in Los Angeles. My son-in-law also had some dental work done very cheaply, and health care for the kids didn't cost anything.


I have a set of photos here: http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Travel/Costa-Rica-January-2011/15666871_vpjKst#!i=1174256978&k=ranwT

[snappyturtle]

10. Those are gorgeous! Sounds and looks like heaven to me! Thanks. nt

[Blue_In_AK]

14. It really was wonderful,

especially over in Montezuma where the kids were staying. They rented an open-air house (only the bedrooms and bathrooms were enclosed within walls) on a mango plantation and were no more than 100 yards from the beach. They had no TV or radio, and is was SO peaceful.

[Egalitarian Thug]

4. Heaven on earth, except for all those fucking Americans and their malls & condos. K&R

5% of all the plant species, IIRC. Beautiful beaches and low cost of living a much simpler life.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

5. I was down there a few years ago. On Saturday, every Saturday, they turned off all the electricity

on the entire West coast to conserve energy. From 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. You could set your watch by it. Everybody knew it was coming and prepared for it in advance. It was soooo cool and didn't affect anyones life. You could still get a cold beer, it was just on 9ice for a few hours. I love Costa Rica!

[Sherman A1]

6. K&R

[meeksgeek]

7. I would love to go back.

Amazing place. I went there in grad school. I found the people there so friendly! I speak very little Spanish and I learned something different from the Costa Rican dialect, but everyone was very helpful and patient. I could write so much about this country... We did not just see the resorts, either; went to some very rural areas, the trip included a bit of teaching at a primary school in Sarapiqui. Anyway, I have traveled a lot but this is the best place I have been, in countless ways.

[Gumboot]

8. Imagine living without militarism!

... and not having to shoulder the costs of militarism.

Sounds like paradise to me, I'm very envious of you DU-ers who have been there.

[Mira]

9. As an amateur photographer - permit me to show the green of Costa Rica

Most of these are in the area of Monteverde. There is a glimpse or two of Arenal Volcano, folks on a Zip line, and in general the amazing lush green of Costa Rica, and I'll throw in a howler Monkey
This was 2 months ago

[Odin2005]

12. I could have gone there for a tropical biology course, but I didn't have the money.

Gorgeous place

[Odin2005]

11. I knew it had to be Costa Rica before opening the thead.

[ThomThom]

13. I really want to go there

friendly people, beaches, mountains, forests ..... sounds good to me

[greytdemocrat]

15. Sorry...

Koch Industries just bought it.


Just kidding.