Sustainable Awareness in Costa Rica. Part 1/2

There is a noticeable awakening among humanity as it aims toward a more sustainable and permanent culture.

This shift in consciousness, where the individual recognizes their responsibility to live in harmony with nature and each other, is the driving force behind the sustainability movement.

Our interconnectedness and interdependence requires us to create new systems inspired by sustainable ethics to restore balance to a world so clearly out of balance. Sustainable development represents a collective design system that integrates our social and environmental responsibilities to provide for our physical requirements.

Current trends indicate that the rise of the sustainable lifestyle could be a collective effort to adapt to a world in crisis. Our critical independent systems for food and energy production, water use, human health, and industry have proven to be utterly unsustainable.

According to many scientists, human population growth has already far exceeded the natural carrying capacity of our planet. In 2006, a World Wildlife Fund study claimed that we would need two planet Earths of natural resources by 2050 to maintain the current path of our culture.

The recent collapse of the global financial industry, the negative effects of our dependence on fossil fuels, and the exponential pollution of our air, water and land are evidence that there is an urgent need for more sustainable systems.

Spurred by corporate greed, our consumption culture has led to a credit-based financial system that was, and still is, clearly unsustainable. Modern society’s complete dependence on fossil fuels – a finite natural resource – affects all aspects of how we live, while the use of them pollutes our only ecosystem.

The good news is that the obvious need for sustainability is driving new technology and influencing public policy. A wealth of new technologies offers sustainable solutions for the key areas of our existence: Food, Water, Energy, and Shelter.

These innovative systems are being implemented in sustainable agriculture, water conservation and recycling, renewable energy, and green building. Some countries, like Costa Rica, are offering environmental incentives, while major Cap and Trade legislation is being considered in the U.S. and within the G-20.

Carbon Cap and Trade policies are expected to provide sufficient financial motivation to stimulate conservation and sustainable development projects, while clamping down on polluters.

Despite the daunting challenges of a rapidly growing human population on a planet with finite natural resources, the collective eco-consciousness of individuals, businesses and governments gives us hope that humanity will innovate a more permanent and sustainable future.

These global environmental challenges coupled with the growing awareness among entrepreneurs are creating opportunities in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica: A Leader in Sustainable Practice and Policy.

Anyone who has done basic research on Costa Rica knows that the country is a world leader in the green revolution. Costa Rica produces over 90% of its electricity through renewable means such as hydroelectric, geothermal, and wind power.

This famously peaceful democracy recently has been voted the “greenest and happiest” nation in the world by the independent organization New Economics Foundation, as well as being the only country considered a “BioGem” by the Natural Resource Council. It is the world leader with nearly 30% of the landmass reserved. Furthermore, local food production in Costa Rica is abundant, keeping costs for basic items extremely affordable for all.

Costa Rica’s government, committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2021, has launched very attractive incentives for conservation and sustainable development projects. These incentives have spawned many green investment opportunities into areas such as forestry, renewable energy generation, biofuel production, sustainable building, landfill biomass extraction, and many others.

Reforestation and sustainable timber has long been a focus in Costa Rica, and investing in such projects has provided incentives for residency. The Costa Rican government is now offering monetary compensation as an added benefit. For example, a forest preservation project may receive up to $300 per year, per hectare; and a reforestation project is eligible for $150 per year, per hectare.

The legal process for an environmental survey to qualify for these credits costs around $5,000 and takes less than 4 months to complete.

In addition, many private forestry and reforestation projects are producing certified emission reduction (CER) credits, also known as carbon offset credits. The Costa Rica government also engages in this practice for its vast forest reserves.

These Forest Carbon Projects are offering wholesale investments into their programs, and then selling the carbon offsets credits on the open markets for very healthy returns for their investors.

Until recently, the government-run monopoly I.C.E (Institute of Costa Rican Electricity) made it very difficult for private developers to produce electricity.

Since the ratification of CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement), Costa Rica has already deregulated telecommunications and is now planning to open the electricity market. New incentives are being offered to developers to build renewable energy plants of 7 megawatts or larger.

Once their plans are approved, developers will be able to import all necessary materials “duty free,” and may be exempt from paying operating taxes for a period of time. These projects are also eligible for creating certified carbon offset credits with substantial value, thus making them even more attractive to investors and developers.

The production of biofuels is yet another industry where Costa Rica is providing similar tax-based incentives to eco-entrepreneurs. Biodiesel production is expected to be the leading biofuel, as the country produces a large supply of palm oil. Jatropha, a new high-yielding oil crop, is being grown and studied in Costa Rica for future use in biodiesel production. Additionally, sugar-based ethanol production is incentivized and shows great potential.

Lastly, methane extraction techniques are being developed for landfills, along with garbage reduction and recycling technology that offers another exciting opportunity for green development in Costa Rica.

One firm has applied for permissions to implement such a plan for some Costa Rica landfills. This technique reduces actual landfill garbage by 90%, removes all recyclable materials, and produces fuel pellets that can be used for electricity production, again while creating valuable carbon offset credits.

With the prospect of mandatory Cap and Trade legislation being passed in the United States and a president who is encouraging G-20 members to sign on to reduce global carbon emissions, these green initiatives appear to be solid investments with terrific potential for high yields as the carbon offset market is poised for immense growth.

[custom_script adID=97]

Considering The Atenas Area For Your Home In Costa Rica?

The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) ranks Atenas as one of “The Best Places to Retire Abroad.” For more information about homes and land for sale in the area please contact our Recommended Realtors in Atenas by using the simple form below:

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.