My name is Rose Genco, and I just finished my freshman year at the University of Pittsburgh. I am studying Civil Engineering and planning to gain a Sustainability Certificate at Pitt’s Swanson School. I cannot wait to experience Costa Rica! As I am studying sustainability, Costa Rica’s initiatives centered around the environment are very exciting to me. Their focus on sustainability makes me view Costa Rica as a progressive and inspiring country. I hope to take what I have learned from Costa Rica and use it in my future career here in the United States. I want to help my community become more focused on the environment like Costa Rica.
One of their environmental initiatives is the National Decarbonization Plan which aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. This impressive and ambitious plan will mean that Costa Rica will offset the emissions it produces through different positive environmental actions. Another initiative is the Payment for Environmental Servies (PES) program. This pays Costa Ricans to conserve forests and plant more trees and tropical agriculture. Mainly because of this program, their forest cover has increased from 26 percent in 1983 to 50 percent today. Initiatives and programs like this, supported by the government, has allowed Costa Rica to preserve their natural land and habitats. Since Costa Rica makes up four percent of the world’s total species, it is vital to preserve their homes in this tropical agriculture. Costa Rica is leading the way in environmental sustainability, and I hope the United States will take more action to follow their ways.
In my trip to Costa Rica, the agriculture, food, and culture is exciting to me. I want to see and experience different natural habitats like the Cloud Forest and tropical agriculture. Trying fresh fruit directly from the farm and new types of fruit is something I cannot wait for. Finally, being able to experience a new culture and gaining new perspectives on how to live has always been my favorite part of traveling somewhere new. I hope to immerse myself in Costa Rican lifestyle while I am there and gain many meaningful experiences!
