Archive
Costa Rica Aims to Be a Carbon-Neutral Nation
Today National Public Radio reported that, “Costa Rica says it wants to be the first developing country to become carbon neutral — that is, to have zero output of carbon dioxide by 2021.” Costa Rica is one of five countries to commit to carbon neutrality Under the United Nations Environment Program.
As one of the smallest countries in the world, Costa Rica has a big goal. They are receiving incredible praise and accolades around the world. But, is this realistic?
Cost Rica enjoys a well deserved reputation as being an eco-paradise. The country enjoys a 62% forest cover. The Costa Rican government planted more then 5 million trees in 2007 and has a goal of planting 7 million trees this year.
However, Costa Ricans produces 12.5 million metric tons of carbon monoxide each year, and the lush vegetation only absorbs about 1/5th of that. The number of cars in Costa Rica increased six fold in the last 20 years. The city of San Jose acknowledges that it dumps untreated sewage directly into rivers as a daily practice.As six month residents of San Jose, Costa Rica, we see massive amounts of garbage in the streets and rivers each day. Emissions from cars and buses is terrible. Not only is it visible from most cars, but, it burns the lungs and eyes each day. The millions of trees the government plants are not cared for and a large number die.