A SHARED ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Photo provided by Sadie Klein / the Advocate

Costa Rica is often considered No. 1 in the world for ecotourism – meaning it is a sustainable place that conserves the environment and has numerous locations that are protected and relatively untouched. Six percent of the world’s biodiversity is in Costa Rica, and roughly 25 percent of its land area is preserved as national parks, according to the Costa Rican embassy.

It is evident that this country is one of the best travel destinations. As someone who spent 10 years living there, I can vouch for the reality of what Costa Rica is truly like, and what a positive impact tourism has for the locals and on the environment. During my most recent visit I noticed nearly every single place where a beverage was sold, a recyclable straw was handed out.

This is a great step in the right direction, in continuing to conserve the environment.

Although Costa Rica is publicized to be such an “eco-friendly” country which in sense, it is, there is still not enough being done. Specifically, in educating its citizens on the importance of maintaining a clean environment.

I lived in the coastal province of Guanacaste, in the resort town of Playa Flamingo. This area becomes filled with tourists, especially during the holidays, coming not only from out of the country, but more significantly from different provinces. Costa Ricans from the cities flood the coast, causing a boost in tourism and an increase in population – such an increase that the phone lines become blocked, creating a loss of cellular internet for all users in the area.

As the holiday season comes to an end towards the middle of January, the locals living near the coast are left with beaches full of trash left behind by the tourists. Beach cleanups are put in place. This issue has been going on for years; the problem is, fines are not being enforced for littering, giving free rein for citizens and tourists to do whatever they want with their waste.

This goes as far as making it culturally acceptable to burn garbage, because waste disposal is not readily available to everyone, and waste management is poorly organized. Because of this, highly toxic chemicals are emitted from burning plastic that not only affects the citizens and tourists, but also the environment.

The importance of travelers cleaning up after themselves and seeking to maintain the environment they are visiting is essential.

Moreover, if future generations want to be able to visit this beautiful nation, and if we want to maintain Costa Rica as the most eco-touristic country, we must teach others the importance of preserving the Earth.

Advocate Staff