It would appear that the major accomplishment of the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 held in Copenhagen is consensus that global warming is indeed a serious challenge and we must do something about it. While this observation is somewhat sarcastic, it is likely closer to the mark than measuring how far it actually went in the direction of creating a global consensus regarding goals, transparent emissions measurement, and some reasonable equity between the handful of controlling economics and the rest of the world.

Individual countries, no matter how small, will have to take their own initiative, working from the bottom up, creating a unity of purpose that other nations can begin sharing. Costa Rica’s idea of Peace With Nature and all its ramifications is the road map for this country. Global accords and country initiatives are invaluable first steps, but of little true value without proper documentation and enforcement. The Copenhagen Accord is essentially an impotent statement of the obvious, while Peace With Nature creates the edifice of purpose that Costa Rica needs to fully inhabit.

We feel extremely fortunate to share Dr. Pedro Leon Azofeifa’s perspective on the closing days of the climate conference. He is the Coordinator of the Peace With Nature initiative and part of the delegation in Copenhagen. He is a professor of biology at the School of Medicine, University of Costa Rica, and co-founder of the school’s Cell and Molecular Biology Center. Dr. Leon also is a founding member of the Costa Rica Academy of Sciences, and is the first Costa Rican scientist to be elected to the United States’ National Academy of Sciences. In Copenhagen, he was a scientist in the political laboratory of global dynamics and his communication reflects the chasm between the two.

“Today, Saturday (12/19), at about 3PM the COP 15 concluded with a marathon effort that started on Friday at about 10PM and went on till 3 PM on Saturday non-stop. Friday morning started with the speeches from several world leaders including the Chinese President Jintao, President Obama, President Lula, President Uribe, President Morales, Chavez and others. Chavez as usual ranted and raved against Obama with heavy insults, calling him the Nobel Prize of War…etc. Lula gave the most inspiring and balanced presentation, emerging as one of the smartest leaders.

Twenty-five of the world leaders actually worked on a proposal throughout the night that was later cast into a statement for approval by the parties. This, in turn, gave rise to a marathon debate that started about 11PM Friday evening and almost collapsed several times in part due to the abysmal ability of the Danish Prime Minister who presided over the meeting. Strong opposition by Sudan and the ALBAcountries almost erased the proposal completely several times during the night, but the vast majority of the countries pulled together in the end to keep the document alive for the next COP, allowing also the enactment of immediate actions with funding offered by the European Union, the US, Japan and others.

The need for complete consensus makes the UN a very ineffective body, as a single country can block agreements and progress. The other large disappointment was the ineffective leadership of the Secretary General, who seemed totally unengaged. Strong leadership in the UN is essential to save this basic body of deliberations…the only one the world has.

The document approved is a minimal agreement that will be the basis for further debates in the next COP meeting in Mexico. I was very impressed and proud of the leadership role of the Costa Rican delegation and particularly Christiana Figueres, who has assumed a very impressive leadership role, along with a group of technical experts that worked night and day.

I was happily surprised with the respect and credibility of the delegation that has played a key role in serving as a bridge between different countries with different ideologies. We knew that the meeting would not yield legally binding agreements, but at least the overnight marathon managed to keep the basic document alive and the basis for further debates.” 

What follows is a brief introduction to the finalized Copenhagen Accord by Dr. Alvaro Umaña Quesada, Climate Change Ambassador and Chief Negotiator for Costa Rica. It was written prior to the negotiations discussed by Dr. Leon. It is, in fact, the preface to the very intense final few days of the conference, and it is interesting to juxtapose its intention with an edited version of the actual accord, where you will find a paucity of substance and a plethora of rhetoric.

“As Chief Negotiator of Costa Rica at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, I would like to present some personal reflections that will allow interested Costa Ricans to inform themselves about what is happening here in Copenhagen and what theCosta Rican delegation is  accomplishing at this convention.

As reported in the press, negotiations are stalled. Why no progress? Why are we stuck? These are the big questions. We have less than 72 hours to complete the work of this international gathering –the largest one of its type. It seems incredible that we cannot predict if we will succeed or whether it will be a colossal failure. This shows the deep divisions between countries and reflects the inability of all political leaders to confront the greatest challenge of our era.

If no agreement is reached, it will not be for lack of effort. Here the pace is frenetic, the Costa Rican delegation worked until the early morning hours and there is a push to complete all the texts for Wednesday afternoon, the 16th of December.

So that everyone can understand the complexity of the negotiations, I present here the four most important issues: 

1. How much and when will the industrialized nations promise to reduce GHG?

2. How and when to deal with the emission reductions of the big. emerging economies (Brazil, China, Mexico, India)?

3. How many economic or financial resources are the industrialized countries going to put on the table?

4. What mechanism will be devised for the allocation of these funds?

In these United Nations conferences, the delegates exchange words but do not yet make the decisions. The negotiations operate by consensus, so that one country can block the negotiations completely. The different proposals are added to the core text and now this is growing way out of proportion. At this point the negotiating text for Copenhagen has exceeded 600 pages!”

  Copenhagen Accord

1.  We underline that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. To achieve the ultimate objective of the Convention to stabilize greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system, we shall, recognizing the scientific view that the increase in global temperature should be below 2 degrees Celsius, on the basis of equity and in the context of sustainable development, enhance our long-term cooperative action to combat climate change.

2.  We agree that deep cuts in global emissions are required according to science, and as documented by the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report with a view to reduce global emissions so as to hold the increase in global temperature below 2 degrees Celsius, and take action to meet this objective consistent with science and on the basis of equity. Bearing in mind that social and economic development and poverty eradication are the first and overriding priorities of developing countries and that a low-emission development strategy is indispensable to sustainable development. 

3.  Adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change and the potential impacts of response measures is a challenge faced by all countries. We agree that developed countries shall provide adequate, predictable and sustainable financial resources, technology and capacity building to support the implementation of adaptation action in developing countries. 

4. Delivery of reductions and financing by developed countries will be measured, reported and verified in accordance with existing and any further guidelines adopted by the Conference of the Parties, and will ensure that accounting of such targets and finance is rigorous, robust and transparent. 

5. Least developed countries and small island developing States may undertake actions voluntarily and on the basis of support. Parties will communicate information on the implementation of their actions through National Communications, with provisions for international consultations and analysis under clearly defined guidelines that will ensure that national sovereignty is respected.

6.  We recognize the crucial role of reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation and the need to enhance removals of greenhouse gas emission by forests and agree on the need to provide positive incentives to such actions through the immediate establishment of a mechanism including REDD-plus, to enable the mobilization of financial resources from developed countries.

7.  We decide to pursue various approaches, including opportunities to use markets to enhance the cost-effectiveness of, and to promote mitigation actions.

8.  Scaled up, new and additional, predictable and adequate funding as well as improved access shall be provided to developing countries, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Convention, to enable and support enhanced action on mitigation, including substantial finance to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD-plus), adaptation, technology development and transfer and capacity-building, for enhanced implementation of the Convention. The collective commitment by developed countries is to provide new and additional resources, including forestry and investments through international institutions, approaching USD 30 billion for the period 2010 ñ 2012 with balanced allocation between adaptation and mitigation. In the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation, developed countries commit to a goal of mobilizing jointly USD 100 billion dollars a year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries.

9.  To this end, a High Level Panel will be established under the guidance of and accountable to the Conference of the Parties to study the contribution of the potential sources of revenue, including alternative sources of finance, towards meeting this goal. 

10.  We decide that the Copenhagen Green Climate Fund shall be established as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the Convention to support projects, programme, policies and other activities in developing countries related to mitigation including REDD-plus, adaptation, capacity- building, technology development and transfer. 

11.  In order to enhance action on development and transfer of technology we decide to establish a Technology Mechanism to accelerate technology development and transfer in support of action on adaptation and mitigation that will be guided by a country-driven approach and be based on national circumstances and priorities.

12.  We call for an assessment of the implementation of this Accord to be completed by 2015, including in light of the Convention’s ultimate objective. This would include consideration of strengthening the long-term goal referencing various matters presented by the science, including in relation to temperature rises of 1.5 degrees Celsius.

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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.

An extraordinary thing happened in Costa Rica on December 1, 1948 after a successful revolution against anti-progressive forces. José Figueres Ferrer abolished the Costa Rican Army. The photograph of Costa Rica’s Man of the Century, Don Pepe, taking a hammer to the wall of the Cuartel Bellavista became the symbol of an act that changed this small country forever. He boldly stated,  “The army hands over the keys to the barracks, to be converted into a cultural centre. We are the sustainers of a new world in America. Little Costa Rica offers its heart and love to civilian rule and democracy.”

Central America had a history of being the opportunistic playground of empire-building nations and corporations from other continents. It was being plundered for its resources and its people were incidental pawns in the games of these power brokers. Their own governments were often run by ruthless dictators who carried out the wishes of their invaders. When one looks at the political landscape of the time, both within Costa Rica and the other countries of the region, this single act of Figueres is without parallel.

During an interview with the New York Times in 1973, he said, ”I am what you might call a farmer-philosopher.” Nature was frequently the metaphor for his discourses and that was certainly the case in his thoughts in his book about the revoliton of 1948,  El Espiritu del 48.

 “I did not plant all the trees in the forest. I set out like the sower of seed from early dawn for the landscapes of my country to plant ideas, inspiration, ideals and enchantment. There took root the noble soul of this country and the honest groundedness of our people. That was the revolution. That was the spirit of 48! “

Over 50 years later, another seed was planted and it has the promise of equaling that historic moment for Costa Rica. On May 8, 2002. The newly elected President, Abel Pacheco delivered his inaugural address:

“We will compete without destroying Nature because, beyond the events of the moment, our rich bio-diversity will always be a great wealth and we will preserve it. Before we declare peace among ourselves and we declare peace among all nations; now we should declare a peace with Nature.”

It took about five years for this seed to grow into an initiative authored by the next President, Oscar Arias and aptly entitled, “Peace With Nature”.

Peace and nature are irrevocably linked together in this country, clearly enunciated by the new President in his initiative. He wrote,  “In addition to having a long tradition of democracy, peace and respect for human rights, Costa Rica has been internationally recognized for its pioneering efforts to protect the environment.”

Armies of nations, warlords, and terrorists still champion violence as a means to peace, or achieving their selfish needs, and it is impossible to separate the two. Nature is the battleground for these armies and the battles and casualties have been fierce. But a new battalion has joined their international ranks—the insatiable forces of greed. Our natural world has finally fallen victim to the relentless onslaught of the soldiers of avarice. They have depleted our resources, polluted our streams and oceans, killed off thousands of species, and poisoned our air and bodies with their pollutants.

Once again, Costa Rica must lead by example. Violence against man and nature come from the same seed. It is time to defend peace and nature. It is time for the voice of the Leatherback to become the voice of the people. Please save Las Baulas National Park and send another message to the world that, “Little Costa Rica offers its heart and love” to nature.

If Costa Rica fails in this final battle, the world will be a much more dangerous place to live in.

Another voice and another threat to Costa Rica’s Leatherback sea turtle has been added to the chorus of opposition to the proposed plan to downgrade Las Baulas National Park to a wildlife refuge. Todd Steiner is the Executive Director of the Turtle Island Restoration Network and he warns about the dire effects of climate change on the sea turtle’s Las Baulas habitat. They have had an ongoing relationship with Costa Rica’s own PRETOMA in  preserving the marine life around the Cocos Island.This twenty year old organization is an international marine conservation association headquartered in California whose 10,000 members work to protect sea turtles and marine biodiversity in the United States and around the world.

In addition to an Op Ed piece that ran in the Tico Times on October 2^nd, which is printed in its entirety below, these stewards of the sea turtle are gathering the support of one hundred key scientists as signatories to an open letter in direct opposition to the government’s plan. They are assisting seeturtles.org with a letter of support from Costa Rica’s eco-tour operators. There will be a forthcoming press release supported by the top NGO’s in the world conservation community. Todd will be sharing these with Nature Blog as soon as they are available.

Climate Change Affects Sea Turtles Nesting Sites

President Oscar Arias spoke eloquently at the United Nations about the need for action on global warming.  

Scientists have warned that, even if we were to immediately stop emitting all greenhouse gases, we cannot reverse some of the consequences we are already witnessing.   Melting polar ice caps and rising seas could spell doom to seaside resorts and homes, as well as one of Costa Rica’s flagship species, the sea turtle.

As sea levels rise, sea turtle nesting beaches will be flooded and the turtles will have to find nesting sites further inland from today’s shoreline. Yet, President Arias has proposed to downgrade Las Baulas National Park to a wildlife refuge, although the park includes one of the most important nesting beaches for the critically endangered Pacific leatherback turtle.

This proposed downgrading would allow new beach houses and condominiums right behind nesting habitat, preventing the leatherbacks from finding higher ground to lay their eggs as sea levels rise.

Hundreds of scientists and more than 30 conservation groups throughout the world, including some of the largest and best known (Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, etc.), have called on the government of Costa Rica to provide maximum protection for this critical nesting site and defeat the down-listing proposal.

Mr. Arias has tried to build on his Nobel Prize “Peace President” legacy, even starting a Peace with Nature Commission. Yet, his encouragement of the downgrading of this national park makes a mockery of his rhetoric to protect nature, and it questions the sincerity of his commitment to address the impacts of global climate change.

We ask President Arias to withdraw his proposal and join with the world that is trying desperately to rescue this magnificent species from extinction.   In so doing, he would help cement his legacy as the “Peace With Nature” president.

Todd Steiner 
Executive Director
Turtle Island Restoration Network
Olema, California, USA

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The pre-eminent scholar in the world of turtles, Dr. Peter C.H. Pritchard, has added his precious voice to the resounding chorus opposed to President Arias’ incredibly ill thought out plan of downgrading Parque Nacional las Baulas.

Dr. Pritchard has devoted his life to the study of these timeless creatures and nearly twenty years ago, he established the Chelonian Research Institute. His credentials are impeccable and his devotion unquestioned. His defence of Las Baulas is both heart wrenching and without compromise.

Countries and their natural resources are not the pawns of politicians, nor should they be cavalierly co-opted for financial gain. Costa Rica’s global reputation is based on the perception that it is different from its peers. It has set the bar very high as a country that others should be inspired to emulate. What is the message conveyed by this shining example of Peace With Nature, when it lazily capitulates to the challenge of preserving its natural heritage?

Please read Dr. Peter C.H. Pritchard’s letter to Sra. Hannia Duran of Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly. Share this with your friends and let your voice be heard.

Sra. Hannia Durán
Comisión Permanente de Ambiente
Asamblea Legislativa
San José, Costa Rica
Estimada señora Durán:

             I would like to add a brief commentary upon the current negotiations and proposals regarding the Parque Nacional las Baulas.  My point is very simple: National Parks are very difficult to establish.  They take time, money, education and involvement of local people, sustained dedication on the part of the proponents, and sustained vision on the part of agencies of government and elected officials.  They also mandate ecological research and investigation, land survey, economic projections, and much more.  Consequently, when all of this has come together and a National Park has been declared and established, there is an essential rule:

                          A NATIONAL PARK SHOULD NEVER, EVER, EVER 

                               BE DISSOLVED OR ITS STATUS LOWERED

             It can be physically extended, or the degree of protection it offers can be enhanced, and disturbed or damaged wetlands and other key ecosystems can be restored, but one should never take a backward step.  A national park should never be compromised.

          The whole process of setting aside some of the unique ecosystems of the world in perpetuity by application of the national park option will collapse if all of the coordinated work, by many parties, that initiates a national park turns out to be reversible.  The visionaries will just give up if that happens.  Human population growth, industrial growth, and land development are not bad things in themselves, but they quickly become bad things if they are allowed to bring about ruin or obliteration to natural areas that a previous generation promised to protect.  

    Believe me, the pressures on the surviving natural areas will become ever worse as populations increase; “temporary” national parks will collapse like a house of cards if vigilance is lowered even briefly.  We must be ready to defend the National Park System of Costa Rica against all such pressures.  Parque Las Baulas is for ever.  Our descendents will not forgive us for letting it go.

Peter C.H. Pritchard
Founder and Director
Chelonian Research Institute

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The political response to the simmering controversy over the proposed dismemberment of Las Baulas National Marine Park comes as no surprise. It is the job of all political subordinates, regardless of country or circumstance, to support their leader. In this case, it is Jorge Rodriguez, Minister of MINAET, Costa Rica’s Environment, Energy and Telecommunications Ministry. He wrote an opinion piece in the August 18^th issue of La Nacion, entitled, “Conservation Remains our Priority”.

In spite of what he has to say, which is totally refuted by a Ph.D. and sea turtle biologist from Drexel University, Pilar Santidrián Tomillo, he is merely a stalking horse for President Arias. There is no question that the expropriation of the land within the national park is a very serious financial challenge, although exaggerated by administration calculations. However, the scientific issues relating to Leatherback sea turtle habitat and the delicate ecosystems within the park ought to be left to the scientists and not the politicians.

On August 5^th, 2005, President Oscar shared his bold vision for Peace With Nature and the very first sentence stated, “Peace with Nature is an invitation to all the countries of the world to unite in a joint effort to strengthen their actions and political commitment in order to reverse the trends of environmental degradation caused by the impact of human activities on the planet’s ecosystems.”

This policy catapulted Costa Rica to the front of the line of countries committed to the preservation and protection of their natural resources. Along with a goal of carbon neutrality by 2021, this small country earned a big seat at the head of the table.

There is simply no justification for downgrading a national park to a wildlife refuge. If Costa Rica can find money for sports stadiums, surely it can look for a way to preserve its Peace With Nature. When the government has to split hairs and stretch the truth regarding the threat to a critically endangered species like the Leatherback turtle, they have already begun to dangerously erode their precious position as a champion on behalf of nature’s preservation. For a country that earns billions of dollars because of its green reputation, they risk everything by sullying it.

Please read the following erudite refutation of Minister Rodriguez’s opinion piece in La Nacion, authored by Pilar Santidrian Tomillo, Ph.D. and sea turtle biologist at Drexel University.

“I write this letter to respectfully answer issues raised in the article published in La Nación on August 18, 2009 by Jorge Rodríguez, Minister of MINAET, about Las Baulas de Guanacaste Marine National Park. I would like to point out that some of the historic and scientific information included in the article are incorrect and could lead to inadequate interpretations and foster disinformation about the Leatherback turtles among the readers of La Nacion.

First of all, I would like to clarify that the main cause for the decline of nesting turtles on the beaches of the National Park was the poaching of eggs that took place intensively in the 1970s and 1980s, and that extended for approximately 20 years at absolutely unsustainable levels for any population of sea turtles. This information was published in the international scientific journal “Conservation Biology” in 2008.

Likewise, fisheries also had an important effect on the Leatherback turtles in the 1980s; however, the impact of fisheries is now considered low (but high for other species of marine turtles such as the green and olive ridley turtles, information to which Don Jorge Rodriguez is probably referring). Furthermore, all of the 46 turtles studied by satellite telemetry during the nesting season in years 2005, 2006 and 2007 left the waters of Costa Rica without being affected by fisheries. Even if fisheries were important in the past and poaching of eggs nearly collapsed the population, the current threats are nowadays the ones that compromise the future of the Leatherbacks. These threats are climate change and tourist development on the nesting beaches.

One can interpret reading Don Jorge Rodríguez’s article that the establishment of the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge by Decree in 1987 provided protection to the Leatherback turtle; maybe with the intention of justifying the current proposal to lower the category of Las Baulas from National Park to Wildlife Refuge. However, it is of extreme importance to emphasize that this refuge did not protect the Leatherback turtles properly. The effective conservation of the Leatherback turtles did not take place until the area was protected as a National Park.

Furthermore, we can read the following reference in the scientific report for the creation of Las Baulas de Guanacaste Marine National Park written by Dr. Peter C.H. Pritchard in 1990: “The current designation of Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge, administered by Tempisque Conservation Area has been inadequate to protect the land and beaches of LBG (Las Baulas de Guanacaste)”. He continues with the statement: “the beach is subject to chaotic and catastrophic levels of turtle egg collection and visits to the beach of groups without a guide or control. In addition, the habitats at the beach front are threatened by a scenario of commercial development. In any case, the beaches and mangroves are already protected in all Costa Rica by national laws, and the designation of Refuge does not contribute anything new.” Dr. Pritchard ends with the categorical affirmation: “LAS BAULAS DE GUANACASTE needs to be a National Park.”

The protection on the beach started in 1988 thanks to a group of citizens lead by Maria Teresa Koberg, Peter Pritchard, Mario Boza, Esperanza Rodríguez, Edwin Rosales and Stanley Rodríguez. The initiative was to incorporate the guides and scouts of Costa Rica for protection duties at Playa Grande. Over 3000 children from all over the country participated in the program for the first time in 1988-1989, during the school holydays (December-February). These children stayed awake at night to talk directly to the poachers and to convince them of the effects of their actions on the turtles. Surprisingly, the pressure of the group of kids had an effect on an ashamed group of adults, and the intense poaching was reduced quickly, although it was not eradicated until the years of the National Park and the permanent protection provided by the park rangers of MINAET.

The impact of poaching on the population was catastrophic but the cessation of it, in contrast to what happened to other populations such as the one in Malaysia (today considered extirpated), allowed them to survive. In addition, it constituted one of the keys of success of conservation at Playa Grande: the change in attitude of the local people, many of whom stopped collecting and selling turtle eggs in order to become tourist guides within the legal associations of the National Park. This step from poachers to tourist guides was without doubt and from any point of view, admirable.

During nearly 20 years, many people have participated in the conservation of the Leatherback turtles on the beach (scouts, local guides, park rangers, biologists and volunteers) and countless tourists from all over the world have waited until the early morning hours to enjoy the indescribable spectacle of nesting. The effort that beach work takes is only understood by those who have spent time doing it, having felt tired, sleepy, hopeless and cold in the rain. This effort deserves to be compensated by the continuity of the protection of such a wonderful and noble species. It is a heritage for all humanity, for the present generation and generations to come.”

Costa Rica’s national park system was created to protect and preserve nature from our insatiable appetite for profit and progress. These pristine places are the most valuable gifts we have to pass on to our children. The young conservationists in the picture below (courtesy Dr. Peter C.H. Pritchard) are at Playa Grande, standing guard over this Leatherback’s eggs. Our own future as a species is inseparable from the future of this ancient creature. Sanctuaries like Las Baulas are vital for our survival.

Costa Rica’s Peace With Nature is seriously threatened by President Arias’ plan to downgrade Leatherback Marine National Park. The uproar continues as over twenty scientists and conservationists in the country issued a decree in direct opposition to President Arias’ plan which puts the park’s environment at risk, while posing a serious threat to the future of the Leatherback sea turtle.

Every country is feeling the economic constraints imposed by the global financial meltdown. The challenge for Costa Rica is to find a way to preserve its national parks and the extraordinary abundance of life that are protected within their boundaries. Clearly, dissolution of these pristine natural jewels is not the answer. Opposition to this flawed strategy is the first step. We encourage a constructive dialogue in order to find a way to protect this country’s park system, making it impervious to political expedience and macro forces beyond its control.

Please read the statement below and voice your opposition to President Arias’ plan to undermine the very essence of Peace With Nature.

Urgent Press Release to Make Country Aware of Leatherback Bill (exp. 17383)

The bill entitled “Law to rectify the Leatherback Marine National Park’s Boundaries and Creation of Guanacaste’s Leatherback National Wildlife Refuge”(Exp. 17383) signed by Costa Rica’s President and Environmental Minister on May 5, 2009 and presented by the Presidential Ministry to the Legislative Assembly’s Secretary Director on May 21, 2009, contains a series of egregious unconstitutionalities pertaining to article 50 of Costa Rica’s Constitution that guarantees every citizen the right to a healthy and ecologically sound environment. All of these can be summarized in the following points:

1.It reduces the size of Leatherback Marine National Park, created by executive decree in 1991 and later by law in 1995, and excludes all land outside of the public zone without prior technical studies to justify the change in zoning as required by article 38 on the Environmental Organic Law.

2.The proposal is not backed by any type of technical study regarding the environmental conditions present to the area specifically regarding the buffer zone, nor the environmental carrying capacity of the park, but at the same time it proposes to override previously established technical criteria such as the “Research and Management Techniques for the Conservation of Marine Turtles” study that specifically pertains to the parks management.  

3.It compromises the reason Guanacaste’s Leatherback Marine National Park was established: For the protection of the Leatherback sea turtle and the conservation of its habitat and nesting areas, by excluding to adhere to the aforementioned study and by decreasing its size (point 1) (articles 5 & 7), through which the level of protection is diminished to an unsatisfactory degree for the intended purpose of the park.

4.It compromises the collective interest in favor of personal interests: The bill prioritizes the private interest’s of property owners whose lands are actually inside the parks boundaries over what the Constitutional Court called “interests of a higher value” referring to the public’s general interest pertaining to environmental protection, not only by excluding all privately held lands from the park and preventing that the State acquire them as mandated in the Expropriations Law, but also it allows property owners to unconstitutionally –  according to the Constitutional Court’s ruling on December 16, 2008 – develop said lands. 

5.It proposes to create the Guanacaste Leatherback National Wildlife Refuge on lands that the same bill excludes from the Leatherback Marine National Park (article 2), in order to minimize the impacts that these privately held lands have on the park, without any justification or other technical study that explains why it is necessary to remove these lands in the first place – as the originally reason for including then in the park was to lessen these very impacts. 

6.The bill calls for the need to strictly protect these lands, without any technical study, while at the same time excluding them from the current protection they enjoy inside the national park, as is the case with the hillside El Morro situated outside the 100 meter maritime zone (articles 1 & 2).

7.It does not abide by any precautionary measures with regard to the environment and the Constitutional Court’s ruling on December 16, 2008

8.It gives administrative powers to individuals, by creating, “an association consisting exclusively of the refuge’s property owners” (article 9), giving them the authority to make decisions normally reserved for public administrators.

9.It excludes the possibility for future protection of these privately held lands inside the refuge’s boundaries,

10.It orders a change in the type of land use permitted by law without incorporation of the variable mandated by the Constitutional Court on February 6, 2002, based solely on entertaining the conveniences of property owners and their own interests.

11.It establishes only urban development uses inside the refuge, “single family of multifamily housing, individual houses or condominiums, tourism constructions, recreational constructions, ecotourism, public and private infrastructure” (article 11), contradicting the reasons for the establishment of national wildlife refuges to protect the flora and fauna found therein according to article 82 of the Wildlife Conservation Law No. 7317 of October 30, 1992.

12.It modifies the concept of “coverage” in the Urban Planning Law, allowing 100% of the private lands to be constructed upon.

13.It does not recognize the Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT), under SINAC, as the rightful refuge administrator.

14.It allows for the unjustified accumulation of coastal property value, since property owners inside the refuge will be exempt from paying real estate taxes.

Dr. Rafael Arce Mesén, Geógrafo, Docente-Investigador, UCR

M.Sc. Mario Arias Salguero, Hidrogeólogo, CIG, UCR

Dr. Allan Astorga, Geólogo, UCR

M.Sc. Javier Baltodano Aragón, Biólogo, Coeco Ceiba

Dr. Nicolas Boeglin, profesor, Facultad de Derecho, UCR

M.Sc. Rolando Castro, Abogado, CEDARENA

Lic. Gabriela Cuadrado, Abogada, CEDARENA

M.Sc. Vanessa Dubois, Gestión Ambiental, FANCA/FUDEU

Dr. Rafael González Ballar, Abogado, Facultad de Derecho, UCR 

M.Sc. Raúl Guevara, Abogado

Dr. Gustavo Gutiérrez Espeleta, Biólogo, Escuela Biología, UCR 

Dr. Jorge Lobo Segura, Biólogo, Escuela Biología, UCR

M.Sc. Oscar Lucke, Geógrafo, Escuela de Geografía, UCR

Lic. Patricia Madrigal, Abogada, CoopeSolidar 

M.Sc. Jorge Mora Portuguez, Abogado, FANCA/FUDEU

Dr. Eduard Muller, Rector, UCI 

M.Sc. Mario Peña Chacón, Abogado, Facultad de Derecho, UCR

Dr. Carlos Quesada Mateo, Ingeniero Civil, CCT

Dr. Guillermo Quirós, Oceanógrafo, UNA

M.Sc. Alvaro Sagot Rodríguez, Abogado, UNA 

M.Sc. Vivienne Solís Rivera, Bióloga, CoopeSolidar

M.Sc. Luis Carlos Vargas Fallas, especialista en aguas

M.Sc. Luis Villalobos, Médico Salubrista, Investigador, UCR 

For more information

Email: llamadourgenteporelpais@gmail.com

Web site:  http://llamadourgenteporelpais.blogspot.com 

Conservation organizations and conservationists from inside and outside Costa Rica have become a chorus of outrage against the threatened destruction of Las Baulas National Park and the Leatherback turtle nesting areas within its borders. Internationally renowned institutions have been communicating directly with the Costa Rican government and individual champions for conservation have been making their voices heard as well. We have been coordinating our efforts with PRETOMA.

We want to share with you excerpts from letters against this proposed legislation, in addition to comments from respected conservationists. They present an overwhelming endorsement of Peace With Nature as a way of life, not simply as an expedient political posture. The President appears to be the only voice in support of the dismemberment of Las Baulas and for the end of the Leatherback turtle!  We have indicated links where appropriate in order to provide you with additional background.

La Defensoría de los Habitantes protects the rights of all people living in Costa Rica. The Legislative Assembly appoints this Ombudsman. La Defensoria can recommend sanctions and/or the dismissal of public officials. In a scathing rebuke of Arias’ plan to dismantle Las Baulas, they stated,“ President Oscar Arias Sánchez’s Peace With Nature initiative – officially launched on June 6, 2007 – with its strong political commitment to fight against environmental degradation, must in turn find sustainable environmental options for the recuperation of the Leatherback Park’s existing ecosystems, something that the present bill fails to do. The bill presented by the executive branch does not take into consideration scientific or technical criteria. Changing the park’s boundaries and protection level would degrade its aquifers, wetlands, and Leatherback turtle nesting areas. ”

In a letter to Maureen Ballestero, president of the Legislative Assembly’s Environmental Commission, Conservation International (CI) reiterated its concern, originally voiced over a year ago, over plans to change the zoning and status of the Leatherback National Park. The conservation NGO sited the State Attorney’s office and Constitutional Court rulings that have each clearly defined the park’s boundaries, including the 125 meter beach front buffer zone critical for the protection of nesting sea turtles.

They state, “This type of initiative to downgrade the management level of a protected area is a very dangerous antecedent and opens the door for other protected areas to be segregated. The worldwide credibility that this little country has achieved, the product of visionaries and receptive governmental administrations, would be seriously compromised on an international stage.”

The Species Survival Commission of IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, also weighed in. “We note with grave concern the proposed changes to the legislative status of Las Baulas National Marine Park as outlined in Proyecto de Ley 17.383, particularly given the nature of the Park and the unique status it holds in ensuring the continued survival of the critically endangered eastern Pacific leatherback sea turtle. Moreover, we believe that downgrading the status of P.N. Baulas to that of Wildlife Refuge sends the wrong message to the rest of the world regarding Costa Rica’s longstanding commitment to the preservation of sea turtles and wildlife.

Carlos Drews, Coordinator of the Marine Program of WWF/Central America, sent a letter to Congress opposing the bill Nº 17383.  Their main argument is that due to climate change, sea level will increase one meter during this century and the beach will go back 50m.  For this reason, Baulas Park in its modified version (if the bill is approved) would be under water by the end of the century. This way the integrity of the most important nesting ground for the leatherbacks in the Eastern Pacific would be lost

Otton Solis, presidential candidate on the Citizens Action Party shared his opposition directly with Nature Blog. “ Be sure our Party (Citizens Action Party) is opposing any intention on undermining this or any other protected  area.”

Mario Boza, one of Costa Rica’s legendary conservationists, shared a reaction to a recent news story. “I am green with envy!  While the President of the U.S. and his family are visiting the national parks of this country, the President of Costa Rica sends Congress a bill to eliminate one of our national parks, Baulas. Saludos. Mario Boza”

Jim Spotila, president of Leatherback Trust, offers a practical solution. “I think the important thing here is that it would be very easy to acquire the land within Las Baulas park if the government had a $1/night tax on hotel rooms and 1$/day tax on rental cars. That would raise at least $10 million a year, a conservative estimate, and a 30-year bond could be done to raise $300 million that could be used to reimburse all landowners in all parks and have an endowment for the parks into the future. What is missing is the political will in the government to put the words of Peace With Nature into action.”

Pilar Santidrian Tomillo, Research Associate at Drexel University, voices her concern as a conservationist very familiar with Las Baulas. “I think it is important to know that Las Baulas holds about 50% of the Eastern Pacific leatherbacks, being the other 50% found in Mexico. The difference is the high concentration found at Las Baulas, where turtles concentrate in only 6 km of nesting beaches compared to the > 60 km of the four index beaches of Mexico. You would expect that protection of just 6 km, being of such importance for the Eastern Pacific, would be easy!”

Tex Hawkens, a friend of Nature Blog, who was directly involved with helping to launch Costa Rica’s national park system over forty years ago, offers a mix of concern and optimism. “There’s no doubt that many of the most important, pristine coastal areas are under siege, and it’s good that conservationists are drawing clear lines in the sand.  If the founders (Mario Boza and Alvaro Ugalde) say that there is significant risk to the most endangered of sea turtles due to possible conflicts of interest, I take their word for it.

Over the years, I have witnessed the steady growth of Costa Rica’s global leadership in conservation and sustainable development - even as more species are pushed closer to the brink of extinction by pressures to maximize profits. This willingness to find a way is an inspiration to other countries, large and small. Peace with Nature sets a high standard.

It is my personal view that the Costa Rican people have proven extremely capable of making their wishes known to their elected representatives, while seeing that differences are resolved for the Common Good.  This gives me hope that the great sea turtles will survive.”

�

Nature Blog continues to work closely with PRETOMA in an effort to draw attention to the crisis facing Las Baulas National Park and the integrity of Costa Rica’s entire national park system. President Oscar Arias introduced Case no. 17.383, entitled “Rectification of the Leatherback Marine National Park’s Borders and Creation of the Leatherback Mixed Wildlife Refuge.” The reasons why this is a disaster for the country’s natural heritage are outlined below in a document developed by PRETOMA and endorsed by a series of organizations. 

A partial list of organizations includes, Leatherback Trust, Wildlife Conservation Society,Caribbean Conservation Corp, and International Fund for Animal Welfare. 

You are encouraged to voice your disapproval by contacting Mrs. Hania Duran, Permanent Special Environmental Committee of the Legislative Assembly:hduran@asamblea.go.cr

———————-

Leatherback Marine National Park was created by decree in 1991 and by law in 1995 to protect the ecological integrity of Ventanas, Grande, and Langosta Beach, in addition to the nesting populations of leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), a species classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Unfortunately for the leatherback, things have changed since then.  According to experts, during the last 20 years the population of leatherback sea turtles has diminished an estimated 90%.  The leading factors for this are the unregulated poaching of nests and adult mortality from open ocean industrial fishing practices.

Guanacaste’s coastal zone has also changed. Sky rocketing beachfront property values have generated an accelerated and unregulated type of urban tourism development that has compromised the ecological integrity of the area.  Coastal development has now become the most recent and serious threat to leatherback sea turtles.

The creation of the Leatherback National Park has without a doubt had a very positive impact. By controlling nest poaching and coastal development efforts within 125 meters of the beaches over the last 20 years, the decision to create the park has guaranteed the nesting habitat’s quality. In fact, 50% of the remaining Eastern Pacific leatherback population still nests in Leatherback National Park.  Up to this point, the strategy has worked; however, a lot more needs to be done.

Experts agree that future efforts to save leatherback sea turtles must focus of the following strategy:

· Reduction of adult open ocean mortality rates

· Strict protection of their nesting beaches 

While the first point requires the development of new fishing technologies and the elaboration of complicated international conventions, the second only depends on the decisions that this country makes.

Regrettably, it has not been easy to consolidate Leatherback National Park.  There are powerful political and economic interests that seek to allow tourism development inside the National Park.  These interests have insatiably tried to misinterpret the boundaries inherent to the law that created Leatherback National Park, until the State Attorney had to rule in 2005 that Costa Rica was under the obligation to consolidate the park and proceed with the immediate expropriation of all land within the 125 meter protected coastal belt in order to strictly guarantee their conservation.  The Constitutional Court has also ruled that the State’s interests lie with the consolidation and the expropriation of corresponding properties in the park. 

Not only have they disobeyed this mandate throughout the present administration, but they have also presented multiple bills, each promoted by congressman Jorge Eduardo Sánchez, that propose changes to the park’s limits in order to sidestep the court’s ruling and authorize developments that satisfy the private interests of “developers”.  Fortunately, these bills have all been rejected by the Legislative Assembly’s Environmental Commission.

Now, desperate, the “developers” have presented a new bill that proposes to downgrade the park’s status – and level of protection –  from a National Park to a Mixed National Wildlife Refuge. The difference with this project is that it does not come from a congressman in the Legislative Assembly, but from President Oscar Arias Sánchez himself.

This new bill is no more than another attempt to evade the Constitutional Court’s binding resolutions, and is a reflection of yet another perversity of the politics surrounding this government’s, “Peace with Nature” program.

Time is running out on the leatherback sea turtle. The bill has already been officially presented to the Environmental Commission for its ruling.  The intention is to push its approval through before then end of the year, thus guaranteeing that the incoming administration cannot derail its progress.

The principal claim used to justify the bill is that there is not enough government money to pay the millions of dollars needed to expropriate. In reality, what there is too little of is political will to consolidate the National Park.  As an example, the State has chosen to accept astronomic and fictitious property values to justify its behavior, when in fact the National Groundwater System (Senara), to which the President’s decisions are bound, has determined that the land in question should only be dedicated to conservation efforts because of its fragile ecological makeup.  How can properties not apt for development be worth so much?

 WHAT CAN WE DO TO DEFEND LEATHERBACK NATIONAL PARK?

Don’t accept the excuses and official claims from the President that circumvent the Constitutional Court’s rulings. 

· Insist that the park be consolidated and that lawful expropriations be carried out.

· Voice your repugnance towards this bill by asking the Legislative Assembly’s Environmental Commission to table the proposal.

· Tell  President Oscar Arias to:

“LEAVE THE LEATHERBACKS IN PEACE!”

We are privileged to be sharing an open letter in defense of Costa Rica’s national park system. It is authored by three of the most influential people in the country in terms of their extraordinary individual contributions to the establishment of the park system. We already introduced you to Alvaro Ugalde and Mario Boza in an earlier blog posting. The third signatory, Karen Olsen Beck de Figueres, is the Former First Lady of Costa Rica and a living treasure.

We want you to voice your support on behalf of Las Baulas National Park by contacting Senora Hannia M. Duran in the Legislative Assembly: hduran@asamblea.go.cr.

“Honorable Members of Congress:

Very respectfully but vehemently, we request you NOT to contribute, with your vote, to the extinction of the leatherback sea turtles of the Eastern Pacific, and to discredit the country´s leadership in conservation.

We plead with you to reject project  No. 17383 for the following  reasons:

                          IN SUPPORT OF THE NATURAL HERITAGE OF THE COSTA RICAN           PEOPLE AND ALL HUMANITY

 The international prestige that Costa Rica enjoys globally as a leader in conservation is on the verge of collapse.  Our reputation, as a country in peace with nature, will be hopelessly damaged if we deny our international commitment with nature. Consequently, it will gravely affect our principal economic activity: tourism.

If we permit the precedent of reducing and downgrading a national park, we will stand at the threshold of the  collapse of the entire system of national parks, allowing our environment to undergo further deterioration.

PROJECT LAW No. 17383 PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT WILL  DISMEMBER THE MARINE NATIONAL PARK LAS BAULAS DE GUANACASTE

I

The destruction of the Planet and the extinction of its waters, its flora and fauna, and all its marine resources, is one of the most profound and saddest crisis in the history of mankind. This imbalance threatens the viability of our own existence.

More than half of all the species of plants and animals surviving, in our planet today, do so in the sanctuaries of national parks and equivalent reserves worldwide.  Aware of this situation, Costa Rica initiated the development of a national park system beginning in 1970.  For the last 40 years, this commitment has been maintained steadfast until this threat has arisen. 

Nine years ago the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), declared the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), as threatened with extinction throughout the entire Planet.

In the American Pacific, the population of adults and sub-adults of this species, passed from 91,000 in 1980 to only 3,000 at present.  Globally, this represents only 2% of its original population.

These turtles have lived for more than 110 million years. Survivors of the extinction of the dinosaurs, they may become victims of the current mass extinctions by humans of plants and animals.  If  Project No. 17383 is approved, Costa Rica will be contributing directly to the extinction of this specie. 

II

The National Marine Park Las Baulas was established by Decree No. 20518-Mirenem in 1991, and by law No 7524 in 1995. It has an exceptional global value because it remains the most important nesting site in the whole Pacific Ocean for the leatherback sea turtle. These turtles nest in Playa Grande, Ventanas and Langosta.

It protects the San Francisco, Ventanas and Tamarindo mangroves, and also the El Morro Mountain, the site of  unique botanical value, which must remain under absolute protection of the State.

III

On May 14^th, the Executive Branch presented before the Legislative Assembly Project No. 17383 entitled, “Law for the Rectification of the Limits of the Marine National Park Las Baulas and the Creation of the Mixed Property Wildlife Refuge Las Baulas.”

If approved, this project would completely dismember the actual Marine National Park Las Baulas, even though there exist 19 laws, including international treaties and Article 50 of the Political Constitution, which mandate Costa Rica to protect its environment and its national parks so they  will continue to constitute the Natural Patrimony of the State.

Project No. 17383 is a grave error. The international community will be outraged that “in Costa Rica the process has begun to dismantle the conservation work of the last four decades.”

In presenting this project, the Government proposes to the Congress the reduction of a national park, segregating its largest land mass and transforming it into a mixed public-private property wildlife refuge (a lower category), and authorizing within the lands which are part of the national park today, all kinds of developments, which will provoke the total extinction of the colony of nesting leatherback sea turtles. 

Proof of this imminent disaster is the situation that we have in the wildlife refuges in the country. Not so in the national parks.

IV

This Project will:

1.        Reduce the park by segregating the totality of Cerro El Morro, Cerro Ventanas and Isla Verde.  It would further reduce to only 50 meters of beach the strip of land which is today 125 meters in the total extension of the three beaches, which   is scientifically insufficient to protect the turtles during their nesting process.

2.        It would eliminate the only authority which the protected areas must have.  In this case, other institutions such as the Municipality of Santa Cruz, Institute of Tourism (ICT), the Ministry of Housing and the groups of landowners, would assume jurisdiction which in fact belongs exclusively to the Park Service.

3.        It would ridicule the compliance of the resolutions of the Constitutional Court obligating the State to nationalize the lands of the Marine National Park Las Baulas.

4.        It would allow, for the first time in history, within a national park, to construct “one-family residences, multifamily residences, both individual or in condominium; tourist recreational residences, recreational installations, tourist developments, including ecotourism; and other public and private infrastructure designed for public services.”  

These developments will produce an intense illumination and an uncontrollable access of people to the park, as well as vehicles and domestic animals, all having a negative impact on the nesting process of the turtles.

Although the project pretends to justify the opposite, its articles and our experience, indicate that this area would be downgraded from a National Park to become just one more common beach.

5.        It would reduce even more the present scant availability of drinking water that now supplies the small neighboring communities, giving way for the new massive developments.

6.        It would contaminate underground water sources, which are of extreme vulnerability due the proximity of the aquifers to the surface.

Technical evaluations of the National Service of Underground Water Sources (SENARA) have determined the impossibility of constructing infrastructure on this area and its neighboring land.

 V

With respect to land prices:

The Project justifies the Park´s dismemberment arguing the lack of budget resources. This is the same argument that has been repeated each time that a national park has been created during the last forty years. In spite of this reasoning, Costa Rica has been able to acquire  approximately 80%  of the lands that today form the National Parks System.  

Much has been said about the cost that this would represent for the State to continue with the process of nationalization of the Park.  In this respect, we express the following:

1.  Some people have publicly affirmed that the expropriations would have an exorbitant total cost between 500 and 700 million dollars. False!

2.  These calculations were realized on an average price per square meter of $850, based on only five of the highest appraisals by juridical appraisers of land, located in high value zones as Flamingo and Tamarindo.

It is important to emphasize that another juridical appraiser  established a value of $13 per square meter, while still a third appraiser valued at $0 per square meter in the        North of Playa Grande, also within the National Park.

3.  In 2008, the study titled “Economic considerations for the expropriation process in Playa Grande, in Guanacaste Marine National Park Las Baulas”, analyzed 121 coastal lots of land with similar characteristics, and developed a model of prices using the same criteria.

4.  The result of the study indicates that a typical lot in Baulas Park would have an average expropriation price of $131 per square meter. 

Based on these estimates, the total maximum cost calculated would be $40 million to acquire the coastal lots included in Playas Grande, Ventanas and Carbón.

However, this estimate does not consider the real estate crisis, nor the negative effect on prices resulting from the limitations of the use of hydrological resources, nor the resolutions of the Constitutional Court, which has demanded the continuation of the land expropriations.

Neither does it consider the fact that some of the “titled” properties include mangroves, which according to the law must remain as public lands in perpetuity, a situation we consider very critical that must be studied by the Attorney General´s Office.   

VI

 These arguments, regarding the final value of properties to undergo expropriation in  newly created national parks, have been the norm in the majority of established national parks during the last 40 years.

What has really enabled the purchase and consolidation of national parks, has been the continued real and firm commitment to conservation on the part of all former          governments, as well as the important collaboration of the international                   community.

Why not apply the same strategy to the park that protects the Leatherback Turtles?

It is of utmost importance for each Costa Rican to feel that this cause is HER or HIS cause. The segregation of a national park deprives its citizens of part of their natural heritage, and replaces it with harmful and negative developments. 

Far from the pretension to eliminate national parks, Costa Rica should be fostering the creation of new protected areas, especially coastal-marine parks, since the majority of fisheries and all of the marine resources of the country and  the Planet, are being destroyed and are on the verge of extinction because of the attitudes and actions of human beings.  

Our duty, and that of all Costa Ricans, is to protect the national parks, because they represent the heritage belonging to all us, but especially to our descendants and their descendants.

Now is the time to question if we Costa Ricans really want to continue to have  national parks or are willing to allow them to be destroyed!

Honorable Members of Congress:  we request you to reject  Project  No.      17383.

Respectfully,

Collaborators with the National Parks of Costa Rica since 1970

Karen Olsen Beck de Figueres 

Alvaro Ugalde Víquez           

Mario A. Boza Loria    

July 2009