Sustainability is a very popular topic in today’s industrial society, as natural resources are diminishing and there are numerous effects of climate change present. Costa Rica ranks second in the World Energy Council’s global “environmental sustainability” ranking (Tico Times). In my opinion, this makes Costa Rica seem progressive, modern, and very impressive. The United States ranks 73rd in environmental sustainability, so it certainly seems that Costa Rica is taking more steps towards a more sustainable country (World Energy Council). While many countries solely focus on maximizing profits and their GDP, Costa Rica seems much more progressive as they are putting a large focus on the environment and sustainability. In order to preserve our planet, countries should follow Costa Rica in its dedication to sustaining this planet’s sensitive environment. This leaves me with the impression that Costa Rica is a very progressive and modern country.
Costa Rica is making several important environmental initiatives in order to create a very sustainable country. One of these initiatives is their commitment to being a carbon neutral country by 2021, which means greatly reducing their CO2 output. To accomplish this, Costa Rica has invested in renewable energy sources, more bus systems to reduce car emissions, and less dependence on fossil fuels (World Watch Institute). Another initiative to make a more sustainable country is the ban of recreational hunting in 2012, the first Central American Country to do so. Before the ban, parrots, jaguar, pumas, and other endangered and elusive species were targeted by hunters, which greatly reduced their numbers. This ban protects these species and sustains their population so they can thrive for years to come (PBS). Lastly, Costa Rica has taken major steps to reduce the deforestation of the rain forest, while still increasing its GDP. It has done this by replanting torn down trees, practicing sustainable farming, and tapping into the benefits of ecotourism. While researching these initiatives, agriculture and coffee did not appear directly very often. However, all of these initiatives do impact agriculture and coffee as they protect the unique rain forest environment that coffee in Costa Rica thrives off of (Ecotourism Society). Overall, Costa Rica is spending a lot of money and taking many initiatives to commit to a sustainable country, and in doing so it protects Costa Rica’s economy and beauty.
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