Costa Rica aims to win "carbon neutral" nation race

[arcos]

Source: Reuters

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, May 24 (Reuters) - Green trail-blazer Costa Rica is drawing up plans to cut its net greenhouse gas emissions to zero before 2030, the government said on Thursday, and aims to be the first nation to offset all its carbon.

Environment Minister Roberto Dobles said the tiny, jungle-cloaked Central American nation would clean up its fossil fuel-fired power plants, promote hybrid vehicles and increase tree planting to balance its emissions.
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"The fact that Costa Rica has applied (payments) on a national scale is what's innovative," said Esteban Brenes, a conservation finance expert at the World Wildlife Fund.

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"It's a deception to allow polluters to continue to pollute with makeup to mask it," said Juan Figuerola, forestry coordinator for the Costa Rican Conservation Federation.

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Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N24389742.htm

[Gato Moteado]

1. hey man, how the heck are ya?

we need to do a costa rica DU gathering.

[arcos]

3. hey!!

How's everything? How are you doing?

Sounds good, count me in :)

[DU9598]

2. Love Costa Rica

My goal is to retire young in Quepos ... wonderful, natural jewel.

[Herman74]

4. Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

Regarding the environment, Costa Ricans shall show the way. But if we had a Democrat like Al Gore running this country, the U.S. wouldn't merely meekly follow, but would lead.

[Ilsa]

5. I met a family that is moving to CR now. They love it there.

I have a friend that lived there briefly. She didn't want come home to Texas. Can't blame her and I haven't even been there.

[UrbScotty]

6. Sorry Costa Rica - the USA already has it in the bag

:sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm:

[Judi Lynn]

7. Beautiful plan in Costa Rica, hard at work on this since 1997.

If only other countries will get in step with this life-sustaining program, or something very similar.

From the article:

Costa Rica is a leader on green issues, with protected areas like national parks and biological reserves covering more than a quarter of its territory.

The country generates 78 percent of its energy with hydroelectric power and another 18 percent by wind or geothermally. It now plans to cut emissions from transport, farming and industry.
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Great interactive map linked to the story:
http://www.alertnet.org/map/index.htm?ct=2&style=2&ex_iso=CR

http://www.wildnatureimages.com.nyud.net:8090/images%202/041105-161..jpg
http://www.condorjourneys-adventures.com.nyud.net:8090/images/costarica_tabaconhotsprings.jpg http://wingsbirds.com.nyud.net:8090/img/tours/26/gallery/crspring09-bttrogon.jpg

Cloud forest, rain forest, green Costa Rican bird