In a Forbes Magazine article dated 15th April 2009 entitled ‘The World’s Cleanest Countries,’ Andy Stone writes how Costa Rica scores 90.5 which places the small Central American country in the No. 5 position overall and the No. 1 position in the Americas.

The Columbia University Center for International Earth Science Information Network and Yale University’s Center for Environmental Law and Policy developed the ‘Environmental Performance Index’ (EPI) index to highlight the cleanest countries, and give laggards the opportunity to benchmark efforts to improve their own environments and the health of their citizens.

“A few developing nations break into the top 10 of the rankings. Costa Rica has a per-capita gross domestic product of $11,600, but ranks fifth overall as it protects its forests and rich biodiversity, both lures for ecotourists.”

In the photographic slide section it states that: “Costa Rica’s economy relies on a robust ecotourism industry, and the care it takes for its environment shows. The Central American country ranks fifth in the global Environmental Index, a rating that should only improve as it strives to become carbon-neutral by 2021.

Costa Rica has avoided the deforestation that ravages some Latin American countries: the country earns a score of 97 or better in the categories of forestry, air pollution and climate change.”

That’s the good news however there are some negative comments as they conclude by saying: “But the country isn’t as kind to its offshore environment, scoring abysmally in the marine protected areas category.”

You can see the Forbes article here.

There are certainly many areas in Costa Rica that could not be described as the “cleanest” in the world but there are also many areas that are practically untouched…

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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.