Nature Air

Environmental eyes are all on Copenhagen over the next several weeks. If you are reading this, you likely know that is the location for COP 15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference. In spite of recent scandals attempting to debunk the science of global warming, there is a growing international will to finally do something about Green House Gas emissions. This is a forum where Costa Rica will shine because of its international public perception, some credible efforts to address its own carbon emissions, and its approach to its natural possessions.

Recently, Nature Blog has been very critical of the government’s effort to downgrade Las Baulas National Park, thereby threatening the survival of the Leatherback sea turtles nesting on its beaches.

Over the course of thousands of years, we have yet to create a perfect State. Regardless of Costa Rica’s institutional imperfections, they are making an effort that is hard for any country, developed or developing, to match. When this country set out on its path for a Peace With Nature, it is they who created the high standard by which they should be judged as well, and that is the context for our strong opposition to the Las Baulas legislation.

We are extremely pleased to be working with the Peace With Nature team at Copenhagen. We hope to be hearing from Pedro Leon Azofeifa, Coordinator of the Peace With Nature Initiative when he arrives for talks this coming week. We have recently heard from Carolina Mauri, who is an official representatives at this gathering, and we look to be hearing from Sylvia Leon, who is charged with disseminating conference information in country.

Carolina provided some personal observation towards the end of the first week. It appears that there are three forces at work: developed nations, powerful growing economies, and the undeveloped or emerging nations. Personally, I have always been bothered by terms like First World and Third World, etc. We are in this crisis because we look at a fractured globe, protecting myriad interests; when the truth is we are one interconnected web of nature.

According to her, it is those governments caught in between the developed and undeveloped world that are being most protective. China, India, Venezuela and the wealthier Arab nations believe they should have the same rights and advantages as the United States had in growing its own economy and importance in the world.

The basic principles being supported by the Costa Rican delegation are:

1. The outcome in Copenhagen be legally binding.
2. Provisions that will ensure keeping GHG below 350 ppm and holding global temps below a 2 degree Celsius increase.
3. Developed countries lead in ambitious mitigation actions.
4. All developing countries participate in the solution.
5. The need for a prompt start of a financial mechanism to address inequities.

Costa Rican’s domestic imperatives mirror the government’s position on global matters. A recent survey published in The Tico Times indicates that 80% of the people think more money should be spent on the natural environment. The most important areas are air and water improvements, increased controls of flora and fauna, and the protection of rich ecological zones. An equal percentage considered that a presidential candidate’s opposition to development in the maritime zone is very important. 60% are willing to make economic sacrifices to protect the environment by contributing to environmental education, stricter air and water quality restrictions, guarding against excessive development in ecologically delicate areas.

The challenge for Costa Rica on the world stage and at home is for its actions to affirm its principles. It would appear they have the support of their citizenry in this effort.