Costa Rica Realtor - Matt Paul
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Living in Costa Rica - Time for Change
Matt Paul
For those of us who live in Costa Rica, more specifically, along the southern Pacific beaches of Dominical, the effects of global warming are hardly noticeable.
We live in an "eco-wonderland", a place where 5% of the world's biodiversity exists, where toucans, butterflies, monkeys, and iguanas are as abundant as the bananas and mangos. But underneath this beauty is a reality we must begin to face with both honesty and boldness. We must anticipate what the future holds, while reflecting on our personal role.
Costa Rica is the next Hawaii, whether good or bad, it is inevitable; development, people, buildings, will all continue to come in droves. As infrastructure becomes better, as more airports are built, people will continue to come to Costa Rica and make it their home. The demand is for development, providing property for people wishing to live the very same lives we all live and love! For others around the world, global warming has taken center stage in 2007 exposing the critical situation we have created through the evolution of human achievements. From books and magazines, to TV shows, and even the Oscar winning documentary Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore; global warming has been identified as a "real problem" by peer reviewed scientists, showing that earth's atmosphere is indeed susceptible to pollutants. Thus we are at a definitive period in our history, there is no turning back, no denying the effects our lives and economies are having on Mother Earth.
The natural human reaction to the effects of global warming are both shock and fear, as reports continue to explain the detrimental effects that will take place within the next 100 years. The newest report just released by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes states that by 2050 between 250 million and 980 million people, mostly in Africa, could find themselves without fresh water. Additionally, at least 130 million people will face food shortages, and between 20 to 30 percent of plants and animals species risk extinction. Icebergs and glaciers in the northern and southern poles will continue to melt, raising sea levels 10 to 15 feet within the next 150 years, submerging coastal communities throughout the world. Development and growth is both natural and good to human societies however, we need to take some cues from global warming and we MUST CHANGE the way we design, implement and encourage this development. During the early and mid 20th century, America became an industrial powerhouse; emphasis was placed on production, as more and more products were needed to meet the growing demand. With little thought to the expense of the environment, forests were cut for material, oil was extracted from beneath the earth's surface and coal was burned to fuel the exponential growth. Unfortunately, today we are dealing with these mistakes of the past, which is why we must be careful not to make the same mistake for our future generations! As a Realtor who sells land in Costa Rica, I have witnessed noticeable effects to the environment within the last two years, many adverse. For example, I have seen primary forests cut down, large tracts of earth scraped clean of all life by large bulldozers, land slides washing into rivers, and construction that disrupts the natural eco-systems in place.
Additionally, native Costa Ricans, animals, birds, insects, and all natural cycles of life are being disrupted. This has led to a recent moratorium in the southern zone of the Osa, which proposes to address these issues and to identify a solution while the damage is still reversible. These critical issues stem from the same problems we faced during and after the Industrial Revolution, trying to create products for a growing demand. The biggest challenge is not meeting the demand but taking into account the cost to the environment. It is not easily calculable, it cannot be formulated in an earnings report, but it remains with us each and every day. So as much as we might want to ignore, or even forget about it, we cannot. We must learn to live in harmony with the ground we walk on.
My point in writing this article is not to be negative or against development, keep in mind I work in the real estate industry, but it is to show the correlations between what has happened in the past, and what is happening now. Additionally, to show that there is hope because there are people out there, in our own community who are doing remarkable things. But we need help from more than a few, we need your help! It is our obligation to the earth, to the children and to the future; to learn how to evolve the right way.
We must support and create changes within our own lives and those around us in order to maintain the beauty of this world. These changes are boldly being spearheaded by our own friends and colleagues here in Dominical, leading the way to sustainable, healthy growth. It is important to hear these stories, for they inspire and educate us in a new direction, they are truly the leaders of today for the future of tomorrow. I have chosen not to use the actual names of the individuals and groups, but rather let their actions speak for them. My first story begins with a New York City based architect who is pioneering the way we conceive and implement developments, through creating the first zero emission housing project in the area. Rethinking and re-designing the way we build and live in our homes, this person is creating homes that have all the aesthetic and practical application of a luxury vacation home, but are intermixed with sustainable applications, such as solar panels, water catching systems, and natural water treatment ponds.
Additionally, he is using a construction material that is a beautiful South American tropical hardwood that naturally repels insect and termites, without having to be treated with toxic chemicals. Working with local tree farmers in South America, he is learning how to create a product that is both healthy and sustainable for the environment while meeting a growing demand here in Dominical. This project is going to be the first of its kind in the area, and hopefully it will open the eyes of both developers and buyers in "green" development and construction. Traveling the environmental path, leads us to the organizations and businesses who humbly and passionately dedicate themselves to protecting the natural corridors of the southern Pacific mountain ranges, while educating the youth and adults on environmental issues. One prominent group has done everything from organizing a large community Earth Day festival, to creating outdoor educational programs for local schools, to halting projects that were illegally cutting down trees.
Another group in the area has been just as determined, protecting the town of Dominical and ensuring the local people and beaches are cared for. From beach clean ups, to starting a turtle nursery, and protecting the local rivers and streams, this group has fought courageously for the protection of its land and species. Then there is the story of our large nature reserve, purchased back in the late 70s, this reserve was founded in order to preserve, reforest and re-educate. Every year, thousands of tourists, local school children, and natives walk the ground observing and learning from the various species and animals. If not for groups and individuals like these, valuable corridors throughout the region would be lost forever, losing the animals and the beauty of life that goes with them.
However, not all of the changes are as complex or as large in scale, sometimes it is the simple things that matter the most. Like the story of the woman who is reforesting farms and old cattle land, bringing back the trees and wildlife. Or how about the man who runs a free clinic each year for dogs and cats, making sure they are all spade and neutered. Maybe this is not saving the trees but it is helping keep the cat and dog population healthy, while keeping Dominical clean. Then there is the story of the group that raised money to buy new trash-cans for the beach and install signs, spreading the word to throw away trash and keep the beach clean. Such an easy task to throw away trash yet often it isn't done. Or how about the man that sells organic food every Friday in town, promoting healthy and sustainable living, while protecting the land by farming without pesticides that erode and poison the soil.
Each and every day there are more of these stories to tell, and that is the way it needs to be. One small step at a time, one person at a time because that is how change takes place. I join this effort and I humbly ask that you join us in caring for Mother Nature. Care for your future, care for the future of your children, care for the earth because without caring and love, what will be left. All the money in the world won't make us feel better, that is why our most memorable experiences in life are free. Think about it! If you live here, join or create a recycling program. Plant hardwoods. Stop chopping and allow the natural foliage to return. Buy organic food and fertilizers. Join a local conservation group. Build with green materials. If you live internationally pick up the phone, call your local energy company and they will do a free inspection of your home showing you ways you can conserve energy, with simple solutions such as changing your light bulb or insulating your water heater. The answers to our problems are here. We just have to have the courage and fortitude to realize we 're the answer. One person at a time, one day at a time, because if not you, then who? Please, let's work together to create a beautiful world!  Written by Matt Paul who is a professional Costa Rica Realtor working for Coldwell Banker Vesta Group in Costa Rica. If you would like to arrange to see real estate for sale on the South Pacific, then please help us to help you by giving us your your email address and answer the three little questions in the form below:
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