“What did I get myself into?” I thought to myself. There was no air conditioner, humidity was near 100%, and the hum I’ve spoken about in my previous entries was nonexistent when we arrived at Earth University late May 9th, 2016. “How am I going to sleep?” I thought. And before I could allow myself to go down a completely negative and pessimistic path I readjusted my perspective and reminded myself that this experience has a purpose – and boy did it.
Beautiful Volcano Arenal with Lindsey Wolker and Carlos Martinez.
Our journey to Costa Rica had the objective of rounding out a course that examined climate change, sustainability, and taught us about our own personal leadership so that we might affect change in this world. Costa Rica was our case study – the real world example where conservation can be economically beneficial and what that looks like. Further more, how Costa Rican culture influences policy to exemplify a consorted conservation effort.
Personally, I knew that while we were in Costa Rica I would be focusing on one thing in particular. When we were walking through the rainforest, touring Earth, or sitting at the beach, I came back to the question I posed at the beginning of the semester: how can policy and policy makers at different levels of government influence conservation and sustainability for the better? And as the week progressed I discovered that it was a multifaceted answer because of our government structure in the United States, because of the sheer magnitude and variation of protected areas there are in the States, and because the Costa Rican culture is incredibly different from the American culture.
A path through La Selva a nature preserve where active research is conducted.
When considering the size of Costa Rica and the United States, according to geohive.com, the United States of America is roughly 9.8 million square kilometers whereas Costa Rica is roughly 51,000 square kilometers. Of that, according to the World Bank, the United States has protected 13.9% of its land and Costa Rica has protected 27.4%. Granted, relative to size and percentage conserved the U.S. has protected more land than Costa Rica has (over 1.3 million square kilometers vs. nearly 14,000 square kilometers), but have we done the same to alter our culture and awareness of what exists in our back yard?
Something that was incredibly striking that I think the entire class noticed was the understanding and appreciation for the environment each Costa Rican we encountered had. Most notably, our guide throughout the week, Adrian, would become incredibly exited and happy when he would talk about flora and fauna unique to Costa Rica. On the last full day of adventure when we visited Manuel Antonio Park – which Adrian mentioned is one of the smallest protected areas, but one of the most visited so it supports many of the other protected areas financially – Adrian was hopeful that we would see a Squirrel Monkey. By this point in the trip we had already seen the other three species of monkeys that call Costa Rica home, the Capuchin, Howler, and Spider, so Manuel Antonio would be the last likely place we would see a Squirrel Monkey. We spent the entire afternoon in Manuel Antonio without any luck in spotting this small creature and we were had nearly made it back to the bus when we approached a vendor and he mentioned to Adrian that there were Squirrel Monkeys eating in a tree right behind us. Adrian’s face lit up in a way I hadn’t seen all week. Not because this was the first time he’d seen a Squirrel Monkey, no, but rather because he was lucky enough to show us a part of his home, this creature that is part of something so special to him, something worth protecting, the last monkey left to see – saimiri oerstedii of the family cebidae.
Out for an early morning stroll in La Fortuna near Arenal Volcano.
This moment in the trip serves to illustrate a very unique distinction between American culture and Costa Rican culture. The Costa Ricans are actively present in their beautiful environment on a daily basis. They enjoy being aware of their environment, for goodness sake; they live in very close proximity to the beauty we traveled thousands of miles to observe. In the United States, unless you 1) live off the grid or away from a major city, or 2) actively make an effort to find an area that is protected and untouched by man you can go about your life without experiencing true natural beauty. I would venture to say that it is this proximity that leads to true inspirational change.
When I got home from Costa Rica I went in search of an almanac for my region of Texas. I’m now inspired and curious to learn about the trees I have in my back yard, the different birds I see looking for food, the various types of wild flowers that pop up every spring. In my search of an almanac I found “The Wilderness Warrior, Theodore Roosevelt and the crusade for America” by Douglas Brinkley, and though I’m not very far into the historical novel, I’ve found that Roosevelt’s trajectory for protecting so much of America came from his delight and interest in birds. His simple appreciation and desire for understanding birds contributed to his massive contributions to protecting special magnificent areas like the Grand Canyon.
While others enjoyed the “thrill” of zip lining, Adrian, Dr. Wasserman, and I found this beautiful waterfall.
As I began researching how Americans feel about climate change and sustainability I came across an interesting graph that reminded me of what we observed in Costa Rica. The graph demonstrates actions that have been taken by U.S. adults to reduce carbon emissions. According to the research collected by Saint Leo University the action most U.S. adults are taking to reduce carbon emissions is with respect to purchasing higher efficiency appliances for their homes. Now I suppose that’s a step in the right direction, but by golly what about planting a tree or reducing consumption of meat? (27.5% of U.S. adults said they’d planted a tree and 11.9% said they’d reduced or stop eating meat as opposed to 48.9% saying they’d purchased energy efficient appliances). However what struck me the most, apart from meat consumption, was insulation of homes which 23.8% of U.S. adults said they had done. When we were in Costa Rica twice did we stay in places that did not have air conditioning and further more we only had the option of consuming meat a couple of times.
Two major cultural observations were made here. The first was that the Costa Ricans by in large live without insulated houses, as we drove along the country I could see that roofs and walls didn’t necessarily meet and seal. One might then think, well then their cooling systems are inefficient, but that isn’t the case. Here’s the jaw dropping fact, they simply embrace the heat – what a concept. As the week went on and we were experiencing extended periods of time in the out doors I repeatedly reminded myself that it is okay to sweat.
I thought there was green in Central Texas, but it isn’t as intense or beautiful as this.
The second observation came by way of meat consumption. One of the other groups in our class this past semester hosted a movie night that featured a film that explained that the emissions that come from meat production surpass the emissions of the transportation sector. Upon doing some research online I found an article by Hanna Kozlowska in which she explained “Producing your juicy hamburgers and fatty bacon is the largest source of methane and and nitrous oxide in the world. Most of the emissions come from manure and fertilizers used to produce feed for the animals, and enteric fermentation—a digestive process that causes animals to release methane by exhaling, belching, or passing gas”. During our time in Costa Rica our consumption of beef was low, because I said before it simply wasn’t really an option. When only 11.9% of U.S. adults say they reduced or stopped consuming meat, I’m left in awe, because even the collective reduction in consumption by our society could impact emissions heavily.
According to Worldwide and Euromonitor, the consumption of meat is set to increase within the next 15 years. Per capita beef consumption is projected to increase from 10.1 kilograms to 17 kilograms per year. These two cultural observations are here to illustrate the point that perspective is key. The Costa Ricans do not live in impoverished ways, at least not from my observations, and even those who seem to be well off do not live in excess. Culturally we are in two very different worlds and if we could maybe embrace the heat a little and eat a little less meat, we might be better off as a country and as a world.
Kayaking through the mangroves.
Finally, in comparing the Costa Rican government structure and the U.S. government structure in considering various conversations that were had on the trip, overall facts and figures it, and previous conversations with people like Cristina Bordin, John Porras, and Amy Peitre it seems that in Costa Rica politics works top down whereas in the United States when top down doesn’t work, bottom up fills the void. What I mean by that is that going back to Petri’s conversation, the City of Austin is doing a lot to affect change on the municipal level since the state and federal government are not actively altering policy. An example is setting a municipal goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. The same could be said for the City of El Paso as mentioned by Porras with respect to water conservation. These municipalities are altering policy to fit what their constituents want and need.
As of 2012 based on various measures by The Happy Planet Index which, “measures life expectancy, experienced well-being and ecological footprint in order to determine the countries that are able to deliver the longest and happiest, but also most sustainable lives to their residents,” Costa Rica ranked number one with a score of 64 out of 70. It’s interesting to note that the United States isn’t on the graph and that most of the countries that do appear are in Central and northern South America.
Rancho Margot a previously decimated area brought back to life in a short period of time.
The hum that I’m so used to was no more when we got to the rain forest. Instead, the void was filled with sounds of nature. I remember mentioning to my classmates that the sounds you could hear at night were those that people paid money to hear via CD’s or apps or various recordings. It’s interesting that I’ve gone my whole life comfortable of a hum that is destroying the planet. A hum that consists of polluting machines, industries; theoretical things that give the illusion of safety and comfort when in reality are causing more damage to the environment and my development as a human who values convenience and comfort over nature and the wonder and beauty it can bring to my life.
To say the trip to Costa Rica was life altering is an understatement. My perspective on life and of this world has altered drastically. Previously, I would could easily annoyed or irritated if I was hot or uncomfortable with the heat, now I’ve been home for a bit and it has been hot, however, the air conditioned needn’t be on 24 hours a day. It is summer and I can handle a little heat. I’ve committed to reducing the amount of meat I consume. Not only is it good for me, but good for the environment. These are two small changes of perspective that I think speak to the culture and attitude of Americans. I would confidently say that most people haven’t considered changing their perspective because they have not stepped outside their comfort zone to experience life without the convenient things we’ve become so used to.
Beautiful beach at Manuel Antonio.
At the end of the day policy change starts and stops with the individuals who give power to their government. We see that in Costa Rica, in Austin, in Texas, and in the United States. The moment we start voting and demanding change, the change will occur. It is only a matter of asking our government to step in and alter course and barrel full steam ahead towards a more environmentally friendly path before it’s too late. I have full confidence that it can happen for it is happening in Costa Rica, in Austin, in Seattle, in Portland, in American cities all around. It can happen, just go out and vote. Pura Vida.
Works Cited:
http://www.geohive.com/earth/area_top50.aspx
http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ER.LND.PTLD.ZS
The Wilderness Warrior, Theodore Roosevelt and the crusade for America by Douglas Brinkley
Saint Leo University and statista.com
http://www.statista.com.ezproxy.stedwards.edu/topics/1169/green-buildings-in-the-us/
http://qz.com/305628/eating-meat-is-worse-for-the-environment-than-driving-to-work/
The Happy Planet Index, http://www.statista.com.ezproxy.stedwards.edu/statistics/236081/happy-planet-index/
Bordin, Cristina. Special Assitant to the President and Sustainability Coordinator Carlos A. Martinez. 31st March 2016.
Porras, Larry John. District Director for the Office of State Representative César J. Blanco Carlos A. Martinez. 5th May 2016.
Petri, Amy. Office of Sustainability, City of Austin, Public Information & Marketing Manager Carlos A. Martinez. 27th April 2016.