Position Paper #2 Environment
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Preserving Biological
Running Head: PRESERVING BIOLOGICAL
Preserving Biological Diversity: Costa Rica’s Proposed Policy Prescriptions April Hughes Georgia Southern University INTS 3230
1
Preserving Biological
2
Introduction/Background: With population increasing exponentially, the stress upon our environment is inevitable. Yet, humanity’s protection of its home has been overlooked for far took long. The quest for environmental improvement is directly correlated to the conservation of biodiversity, and is paramount to human survival. With so many species yet to be discovered “our pillage of the natural world has been likened to burning down the medieval libraries of Europe, before we had even bothered to catalogue their contents” (Kirby) As Costa Ricans, we are very concerned with this issue. Although our “country has only about 0.1%of the world’s landmass, it contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity” (Hickman). Dr. Alex Monro, leader of London’s Natural History Museum’s research expedition to Costa Rica in 2008 explains that “finding so many new species in one area is exciting particularly as this is probably the only place in the world you can find these animals” (Bio-rich Costa Rica). Due to this diversity, “about twenty-three percent of Costa Rica is composed of protected forests and reserves” (United Nations). Costa Rica is also a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventurous travelers. With tourism being the main “source of foreign exchange” and a huge sector of the economy, our state has strived to create sustainable practices to maintain the industry and the environment. (Country Profile). Recently, the trend for ecologically friendly tourism, or ecotoursim has become popular. Our state has strived to hold our agencies accountable for following the Code of Environmental Ethics for tourism, which has been defined by the Institute for Central American Studies’. The goal of ecotourism is to provide a culturally sensitive, environmentally sustainable experience for visitors, and effectually create revenue for the state economy.
Preserving Biological
3
We have strived to initiate sustainable developmental measures to increase the welfare of the state, as well as our environment. According to the 2008 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), which was created by Yale and Columbia Universities, “Costa Rica was ranked fifth… behind top ranking nations Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland” (Columbia, Costa Rica). This ranking is an improvement from the 2006 EPI, which placed our country in the fifteenth position. It is also important to note that Costa Rica achieved best in the battle against air pollution, water stress, land-burning, and forestry. If these measures for sustainable development and protection of biodiversity could be expanded to united all global actors, environmental preservation would certainly be achieved. Policy Prescriptions: Policy prescriptions must be enacted before the human stress and misuse causes irrevocable damage to Earth’s biodiversity. Humanity has reached a turning point it its history, in which we must choose to look toward the future of our planet, if the survival of the human race is to be maintained. As a state, we are concerned with sustainable development on a national and global scale. Costa Rica believes in an aggressive action plan to promote biodiversity worldwide. As Costa Ricans, when we believe that by preserving our state’s biodiversity, we are in fact “protecting humanity’s biodiversity” (Costa Rica Forest). It is unfair, however, to place the burden of global environmental protection upon the backs of those states that hold the most ecologically rich territories. All entities, governmental, civic, and corporate should be held accountable for the protection of Earth’s biodiversity. Costa Rica encourages all states to support the Aggressive Initiative for the Protection of Global Biodiversity (AIPGB). Although this program will originate as a coalition comprised of voluntary membership on the state, civic, and corporate level. Costa Rica anticipates high levels
Preserving Biological
4
of involvement, due to the severity of the issue at hand, and the ability for each entity to benefit from adherence of AIPGB policies. Eventually the AIPGB could be proposed within a proposed resolution for the United Nations, to ensure compliance and involvement of all state entities. In order to protect biodiversity on the statewide level, governments will oversee a variety of different wildlife preservation techniques as part of the AIPGB. Several policies developed for AIPGB have been conducted successfully on a smaller scale within Costa Rica. Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), such as Scientists without Borders or Green Peace will enter a state to evaluate biological diversity within the land. Upon their recommendation, the state park services will the expand it’s influence over all lands which are deemed crucial to biological preservation. Within the last decade “to control deforestation and wildlife, Costa Rica has undertaken the most progressive natural park system in Latin America and a recent upsurge in ecotourism has given new impetus to environmental protection efforts” (Reynolds 36). Additionally, states will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the areas that have been deemed biologically diverse. However, all state entities should be held responsible for assisting states, which are extremely important for the preservation of biological diversity, such as Brazil, Columbia, and Africa. The AIPGB will employ a policy recently established between the United States and Costa Rica. Under the US Tropical Forest Conservation Act, the “United States will contribute $12.6 million” to aid the governmental protection of Costa Rican forests. Also, “the United States and conservation groups will cut $ 26 million from Costa Rican debt in return for the country spending the same sum on forest protection” (Costa Rica Forest). Cooperation between NGOs, corporations, and state governments is imperative for the survival of our planet. Along with assisting state park services in measuring levels of biological diversity, NGOs will be responsible for creating incentive-based programs to involve local
Preserving Biological
5
citizens. Through private support and large-scale fundraising projects, NGOs and corporate entities, such as Wal-mart, Target, and Toyota, can unite to create a AIPGB Incentive Program, which will reward communities and citizens for their local efforts. Our state has “established a program to compensate landowners for keeping the forests intact and reforesting degraded areas” (Costa Rica Payments). The government has agreed to pay landowners about $50 for every forest hectare (2.5 acres) that is protected (Costa Rica Environmental profile). With a fundraising program, such as an NGO/corporate ran lottery system; funds could be available for incentive based programs aimed at the preservation of biological diversity. Conclusion: With the establishment of these proposed programs, the AIPGB, could rapidly increase global support, awareness and preservation of Earth’s biological diversity. The decline of global biodiversity is not merely a concern, but a vital threat to our livelihood and existence. Costa Rica feels that “ensuring other species keep their living space is not sentimental; it is the only way we shall survive” (biodiversity). On Earth, “many species keep us alive, purifying water, fixing nitrogen, recycling nutrients and waste, and pollinating crops” (biodiversity). Through AIPGB, policies, which have proven successful in Costa Rica, can be expanded and generalized to meet the global need for measures to protect our planet’s biodiversity. Costa Rica will continue to protect its biological diversity, but it cannot fight alone. The world must unite governmentally, civically, and corporately, to save our planet and ourselves.
Preserving Biological
6
Works Cited
Bio-Rich Costa Rica’s New Marvels. (2008). BBC News. 4 January 2008. Retrieved on 7 March 2008 from < http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7170205.stm > Columbia, Costa Rica, “Top Ten” for Environment. (2008). Environmental News Network. 1 February 2008. Retrieved on 7 March 2008 from Costa Rica: Environmental Profile. Mongobay News. Retrieved 7 March 2008 from Costa Rica Gets Forest Fund Boost. (2007). BBC News. 18 October 2007. Retrieved on 7 March 2008 from < http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7050664.stm > Country Profile: Costa Rica. (2007). BBC News. 7 November 2007. Retrieved on 7 March 2008 from < http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/hi/americas/country_profiles/1166587.stm > Do Costa Rica’s Payments For Environmental Services Work? (2007). Mongobay News. 17 September 2007. Retrieved 7 March 2007 from Hickman, Leo. (2007). Shades of Green. The Guardian. 26 May 2007. Retrieved on 7 March 2008 from < http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/may/26/saturday.costarica > Kirby, Alex. (2004). Biodiversity: The Sixth Great Wave. BBC News. 1 October 2004. Retrieved on 7 March 2008 from< http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3667300.stm > Reynolds, Louisa. (2007). Country Profile: Costa Rica. New Internationalist. September 2007. 36.
Preserving Biological United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 11 April 2006. Retrieved on 7 March 2008 from < http://unfccc,int/resource/docs/2006/sbsta/eng/misc05.pdf >
7
Running Head: PRESERVING BIOLOGICAL
Preserving Biological Diversity: Costa Rica’s Proposed Policy Prescriptions April Hughes Georgia Southern University INTS 3230
1
Preserving Biological
2
Introduction/Background: With population increasing exponentially, the stress upon our environment is inevitable. Yet, humanity’s protection of its home has been overlooked for far took long. The quest for environmental improvement is directly correlated to the conservation of biodiversity, and is paramount to human survival. With so many species yet to be discovered “our pillage of the natural world has been likened to burning down the medieval libraries of Europe, before we had even bothered to catalogue their contents” (Kirby) As Costa Ricans, we are very concerned with this issue. Although our “country has only about 0.1%of the world’s landmass, it contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity” (Hickman). Dr. Alex Monro, leader of London’s Natural History Museum’s research expedition to Costa Rica in 2008 explains that “finding so many new species in one area is exciting particularly as this is probably the only place in the world you can find these animals” (Bio-rich Costa Rica). Due to this diversity, “about twenty-three percent of Costa Rica is composed of protected forests and reserves” (United Nations). Costa Rica is also a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventurous travelers. With tourism being the main “source of foreign exchange” and a huge sector of the economy, our state has strived to create sustainable practices to maintain the industry and the environment. (Country Profile). Recently, the trend for ecologically friendly tourism, or ecotoursim has become popular. Our state has strived to hold our agencies accountable for following the Code of Environmental Ethics for tourism, which has been defined by the Institute for Central American Studies’. The goal of ecotourism is to provide a culturally sensitive, environmentally sustainable experience for visitors, and effectually create revenue for the state economy.
Preserving Biological
3
We have strived to initiate sustainable developmental measures to increase the welfare of the state, as well as our environment. According to the 2008 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), which was created by Yale and Columbia Universities, “Costa Rica was ranked fifth… behind top ranking nations Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland” (Columbia, Costa Rica). This ranking is an improvement from the 2006 EPI, which placed our country in the fifteenth position. It is also important to note that Costa Rica achieved best in the battle against air pollution, water stress, land-burning, and forestry. If these measures for sustainable development and protection of biodiversity could be expanded to united all global actors, environmental preservation would certainly be achieved. Policy Prescriptions: Policy prescriptions must be enacted before the human stress and misuse causes irrevocable damage to Earth’s biodiversity. Humanity has reached a turning point it its history, in which we must choose to look toward the future of our planet, if the survival of the human race is to be maintained. As a state, we are concerned with sustainable development on a national and global scale. Costa Rica believes in an aggressive action plan to promote biodiversity worldwide. As Costa Ricans, when we believe that by preserving our state’s biodiversity, we are in fact “protecting humanity’s biodiversity” (Costa Rica Forest). It is unfair, however, to place the burden of global environmental protection upon the backs of those states that hold the most ecologically rich territories. All entities, governmental, civic, and corporate should be held accountable for the protection of Earth’s biodiversity. Costa Rica encourages all states to support the Aggressive Initiative for the Protection of Global Biodiversity (AIPGB). Although this program will originate as a coalition comprised of voluntary membership on the state, civic, and corporate level. Costa Rica anticipates high levels
Preserving Biological
4
of involvement, due to the severity of the issue at hand, and the ability for each entity to benefit from adherence of AIPGB policies. Eventually the AIPGB could be proposed within a proposed resolution for the United Nations, to ensure compliance and involvement of all state entities. In order to protect biodiversity on the statewide level, governments will oversee a variety of different wildlife preservation techniques as part of the AIPGB. Several policies developed for AIPGB have been conducted successfully on a smaller scale within Costa Rica. Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), such as Scientists without Borders or Green Peace will enter a state to evaluate biological diversity within the land. Upon their recommendation, the state park services will the expand it’s influence over all lands which are deemed crucial to biological preservation. Within the last decade “to control deforestation and wildlife, Costa Rica has undertaken the most progressive natural park system in Latin America and a recent upsurge in ecotourism has given new impetus to environmental protection efforts” (Reynolds 36). Additionally, states will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the areas that have been deemed biologically diverse. However, all state entities should be held responsible for assisting states, which are extremely important for the preservation of biological diversity, such as Brazil, Columbia, and Africa. The AIPGB will employ a policy recently established between the United States and Costa Rica. Under the US Tropical Forest Conservation Act, the “United States will contribute $12.6 million” to aid the governmental protection of Costa Rican forests. Also, “the United States and conservation groups will cut $ 26 million from Costa Rican debt in return for the country spending the same sum on forest protection” (Costa Rica Forest). Cooperation between NGOs, corporations, and state governments is imperative for the survival of our planet. Along with assisting state park services in measuring levels of biological diversity, NGOs will be responsible for creating incentive-based programs to involve local
Preserving Biological
5
citizens. Through private support and large-scale fundraising projects, NGOs and corporate entities, such as Wal-mart, Target, and Toyota, can unite to create a AIPGB Incentive Program, which will reward communities and citizens for their local efforts. Our state has “established a program to compensate landowners for keeping the forests intact and reforesting degraded areas” (Costa Rica Payments). The government has agreed to pay landowners about $50 for every forest hectare (2.5 acres) that is protected (Costa Rica Environmental profile). With a fundraising program, such as an NGO/corporate ran lottery system; funds could be available for incentive based programs aimed at the preservation of biological diversity. Conclusion: With the establishment of these proposed programs, the AIPGB, could rapidly increase global support, awareness and preservation of Earth’s biological diversity. The decline of global biodiversity is not merely a concern, but a vital threat to our livelihood and existence. Costa Rica feels that “ensuring other species keep their living space is not sentimental; it is the only way we shall survive” (biodiversity). On Earth, “many species keep us alive, purifying water, fixing nitrogen, recycling nutrients and waste, and pollinating crops” (biodiversity). Through AIPGB, policies, which have proven successful in Costa Rica, can be expanded and generalized to meet the global need for measures to protect our planet’s biodiversity. Costa Rica will continue to protect its biological diversity, but it cannot fight alone. The world must unite governmentally, civically, and corporately, to save our planet and ourselves.
Preserving Biological
6
Works Cited
Bio-Rich Costa Rica’s New Marvels. (2008). BBC News. 4 January 2008. Retrieved on 7 March 2008 from < http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7170205.stm > Columbia, Costa Rica, “Top Ten” for Environment. (2008). Environmental News Network. 1 February 2008. Retrieved on 7 March 2008 from
Preserving Biological United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 11 April 2006. Retrieved on 7 March 2008 from < http://unfccc,int/resource/docs/2006/sbsta/eng/misc05.pdf >
7
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