More Costa Ricans are ecologically aware

Environmental eyes stayed focused on Costa Rica’s President Oscar Arias when it was announced that his government intended to downgrade Las Baulas National Park, famous nesting ground of the Leatherback Turtles, a species presently in danger of extinction.

Previous scandals rose some eyebrows; popular beaches of the Pacific Coast like Tamarindo and Jaco that did not fail to create international outbursts

Costa Rica, one of the world’s number one tourist destinations, is on the limelight. It may only be small Central American country but it still won quite a few ecological battles over the last few years.

Tourism, deforestation and investors are leaving fatal marks, yet this little country’s ecological efforts are well worth has raised few eyebrows and won many praises. Today the ecological although disasters are still moving faster than the efforts to stop them, the environmentalists are nevertheless gaining ground and every small victory is a big achievement.

According to a survey that was published in the Tico Times, 80% of the Costa Rican population would like to see more money spent on the environment. Water and air improvement, stricter controls over the flora and the fauna, and more law enforcement on protected ecological parks is what everybody would like to see. Stronger opposition against development in the Osa Peninsula, and against marine development are just a few examples. No less than 60% of the population is willing to go as far as making financial sacrifices, and efforts are being made to improve environmental education, to save on water, and to focus on restrictions for higher quality of water and air, and for the control of excessive development in precious ecological areas.

Good intentions are not enough, and more actions are needed, but the Ticos are now more ecologically aware than ever, and this is apparent in rural areas as well as in the capital. There is hope for Costa Rica, and may it welcome many more tourists and be proud of a healthy, caring and environmental friendly way of life, and an exemplary ecological paradise.

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Filed under: Living on June 25th, 2010