Already this year, Costa Rica was ranked the 8th Most Stable Country in the world by The Economist, the 5th Cleanest Country in the world by Yale’s Environmental Performance Index (EPI), the first country to be designated a “BioGem” by the Natural Resource Defense Counsel. Now, it has been recognized as the “Greenest and Happiest” country on the Planet by the British independent research group New Economics Foundation.
The report, The Happy Planet Index 2.0: Why good lives don’t have to cost the earth, published Saturday 4 July 2009, by NEF (the new economics foundation) presents the results of the second global study of the Happy Planet Index (HPI). The new Index is based on comprehensive data for 143 countries around the world, representing 99 per cent of the world’s population, and Latin American nations featured nine of the Top 10 spots.
Costa Rica Pristine Beaches
In a report released Saturday, the group ranks nations using the “Happy Planet Index,” which seeks countries with the most content people. In addition to happiness, the index by the New Economics Foundation considers the ecological footprint and life expectancy of countries.
“Costa Ricans report the highest life satisfaction in the world and have the second-highest average life expectancy of the new world (second to Canada),” the organization said in a statement.
They “also have an ecological footprint that means that the country only narrowly fails to achieve the goal of … consuming its fair share of the Earth’s natural resources.”
Costa Rica Waterfall
The Central American country, tucked between Nicaragua and Panama, touts its lush rain forests and pristine beaches. Its president, Oscar Arias Sanchez, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for trying to help end civil wars in several Central American countries.
The runner-up was the Dominican Republic, followed by Jamaica, and Guatemala. The United States sunk to the 114th spot, while Britain ranked mainly due to its hefty consumption and massive ecological footprint. The United States was greener and happier 20 years ago than it is today, the report said.
“As the world faces the triple crunch of deep financial crisis, accelerating climate change and the looming peak in oil production, we desperately need a new compass to guide us,” said Nic Marks, founder of the foundation’s center for well-being.
The world is finally realizing Costa Rica as more than just a vacation spot. Costa Rica’s excellent stance on the environment, political and economic stability, perfect climate, and lower cost of living continue to draw foreign retirees from across the globe.
To read the actual study please visit:
http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/happyplanetindex040709.aspx
Costa Rica Culture
Having moved from Canada to Costa Rica almost three years ago, I found this article interesting and informative.
I will admit, however, to being surprised that Costa Rica was found to be the 5th cleanest country, and number one for Greenness, or Environmental awareness. I’m not sure where these ‘pristine’ beaches mentioned are, as any beach that I’ve been to has been less than pristine.
People here litter, and litter in a big way. Garbage is thrown into rivers, while other people choose to burn their garbage, including plastic bottles. Abandoned garbage can be seen at any picnic area, on the sides of roads, and on river banks, turning a beauty spot into an eyesore. The people here have not been taught to take their garbage home, and instead, leave their styrofoam containers, beer cans, and plastic bottles and bags where they were. My front garden is constantly the recipient of juice boxes, cigarette boxes and pop bottles as people just toss them when they are finished with them.
Yes, Costa Rica has 26% of the land dedicated to National Parks, but the populace needs to be educated not to litter. A small thing that has big repercussions. Come on Costa Rica, this is a beautiful country! Let’s all do our part to keep it that way – take your litter home.
By: Marjorie on August 2, 2009
at 4:28 pm
Marjorie,
Thank you for your comments. I agree that Costa Rica has a long way to go in terms of education. Things are changing, though; schools are beginning to stress the importance of taking care of the environment on a personal level, and not expecting that someone else will clean it up. And you are absolutely right about recycling. While I believe that the government has been very proactive on environmental policy, we can’t expect them to be as quick and efficient as those of us passionate about the environment would like. It is for this reason, that many communities are organizing their own recycling programs. What I love about Costa Rica is that it is a small enough country that personal initiatives can make a widespread impact. Education is the answer, so hopefully you are doing your part by spreading the word, or perhaps you can even organize something in your local community.
Regarding clean beaches: I personally have found beautiful stretches of beach south of Dominical in the Playa Uvita/Playa Ballena area. Same for the beach areas of Northern Guanacaste like Playa Azucar. Unfortuately for overbuilt — but popular — areas like Jaco and Tamarindo, the conditions I agree are deplorable.
Poco a poco.
Michael
By: paradiseprofits on August 2, 2009
at 7:54 pm
Just to add: I’d love to see recycling become a daily habit here. Most people throw their recyclables in the garbage, as it is easier than saving them up, and taking them into the (few) recycling depots here. I drive 20k to deposit my recyclables, not something that many people do.
By: Marjorie on August 2, 2009
at 4:31 pm