Most of the people who are in Montezuma, including the Costa Rican natives, the ex-pats who have adopted this country as their home, and the tourists who visit, love Costa Rica’s environment. Although not all would call themselves active conservationists, the vast majority support the basic goals of protection for nature, keeping the air, water, and earth clean, reducing toxins in our food, plus equality and justice for our people.
The environmental protection movement takes many forms, from active eco-warriors such as Paul Watson who protects whales and other sea creatures, to organic farmers (a rapidly growing movement in Costa Rica), PRETOMA (sea turtle protection), etc, and these groups and individuals are generally aligned against big corporations that put “shareholder value” above all other things, and so are poisoning our food, corrupting our governments, and spreading misinformation through expert marketing techniques. The vast majority of “food” products on the average shelf have dangerous toxins within them, and this practice has become so commonplace that it’s accepted by the major of people as normal.
Part of Costa Rica’s reputation is based on it being an eco-friendly, green country that prioritizes the health of its citizens, both human and animal, above corporate profits. Costa Rica is indeed making great progress and winning the war against the evil and the ignorant who would consume our planet like a cancer, but some individual battles are still being lost, such as the continuation of shark-finning by local fisherman who sell to Chinese merchants.
Tourists who visit contribute in a very positive way, simply by spending their dollars in Costa Rica. Tourism is the #1 industry in Costa Rica, and the government is very aware that protecting the country’s animals and environment are essential to its goals of increasing tourism. As a tourist, you can help in this effort by supporting Costa Rica’s green business community, such as:
1. Visit local Wildlife Sanctuaries and DONATE
2. Stay in Eco-Lodges rather than hotels
3. Organic Food – Support restaurants that use organic ingredients
4. Eat less of all types of meat while you’re here
5. Go local – support local crafts, locally grown food, locally-owned hotels, etc
By now, anyone with half a brain should be very aware that our democracies are heavily corrupted by corrupted by corporate interests, and all major political parties are their stooges. The very best way to assert yourself in a democracy is to VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS by supporting individuals and industry who are trying to make the type of world we all deserve to live in. This is the least you can do.
