Various Institutions Provided Advice on How to Clean up Costa Rica for Earth Day.

With an international reputation for eco-tourism and all things related to the environment, Costa Rica is always full of outdoor activities and eco adventures. Fittingly, yesterday’s International Earth Day was celebrated in Costa Rica with recycling activities, advice for saving energy, encouragement to consume less, and a general air of environmental responsibility. And this weekend, the festivities continue with ICE’s Environmental Fair, which will take place at the Antigua Aduana, located in San José’s Barrio California.

Throughout the country, Earth Day was observed by both children and adults. School children planted trees, businesses consumed less electricity, and everyone seemed to celebrate the benefits of conservation. In addition, Costa Rica’s public universities organized several environmental fairs, specializing in different areas of conservation and love for Mother Earth, mostly focusing on how to keep the planet clean.

The University of Costa Rica (UCR) went the entire day without producing smoke/pollution and even outlawed cars on campus and exhibited hundreds of objects made with recycled materials. The National University (UNA) aimed its ecological message at the country’s youth, stating their goal to create an ecological awareness among tico children. They emphasized the damage we do to our planet when we act irresponsibly, even though we may not know it. The Technological Institute of Cartago (TEC) gave a lecture on how to manage residual waters in Costa Rica, and also exhibited various art, books, and magazines that focused on the country’s ecological contribution to the world.

If you missed yesterday’s festivities, not to worry: the main show is still available. At the Antigua Aduana, ICE’s environmental fair features 65 different stands, each brimming with choices for environmental fun. The central theme to ICE’s fair will be the enjoyment of the world’s land, without its destruction. It is free to enter, and will run through Sunday.

As many who live in Costa Rica can attest, some of the most basic environmental protections are not followed. ICE, in conjunction with several other organizations, is striving to teach the basics, like waiting to throw trash out until you find a garbage can, recycling what you can, and, when possible, taking the bus instead of your car.

Roberto Dobles, Minister of Environment and Energy, is reminding ticos of the promise they made last year for Costa Rica to become the first carbon-neutral country in the world. Already, steps have been taken, with several very obvious examples, like the local Nature Air being a completely carbon-neutral airline. In the next five years, Costa Rica will invest another $90,000 in environmental services, helping further its goals of becoming a firm friend of nature.

With 3.5 percent of the world’s total biodiversity, it seems that Costa Rica has quite a bit to live up to and protect. Not discouraged by this challenge, both the government and private organizations are taking the initiative, and striving to educate the country’s citizens on how to take care of their country and world. Although it may seem like a lofty goal, look forward to this small nation becoming the first carbon-neutral country on the planet, continuing in its position of environmental roll model.

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Filed under: Living on June 6th, 2008