Intro to Costa Rica

Here's a good general introduction to Costa Rica

Pineapples from Costa Rica

Pineapples are part of the global export market from Costa Rica's Huetar Norte, which has a long history of globalization, beginning in 1899, when the United Fruit company arrived. Here's an article about the agriculture and the economy of this region: Huetar Norte: Complex Fruits of Globalization in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Celebrates 70 Years

Costa Rica celebrates 70 years of having a government without a standing army. That means that the money and resources most countries spend on military defense and offense is used instead for social, economic, and educational opportunities. This linked article contrasts the effect this has had on Costa Rica vs. its neighbors. A pdf version of the article is shared through Evernote.

Water Shortages

The water-rich country of Costa Rica is suffering water shortages in Guanacaste that is impeding the the hotel and tourist industries. Check out this March 21 article: Water Shortages. A more recent article indicates that studies will begin soon to survey the ground water resources available: Feasibility Study

Green Energy for Costa Rica

Costa Rica is leading the way with renewable energy. Check it out!

"Renewables supplied about 98.1 percent of Costa Rica's electricity for the year, the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) said in mid-December. Fossil fuels provided the remaining 1.9 percent."

Costa Rica 98% Renewable

Avocado Imports Banned

Costa Rica has temporarily banned  avocado imports from 9 countries in hopes of avoiding the "sunblotch" virus from destroying its native crop.  "Avocados have become part of the basic Costa Rican diet during the last several decades..."  TicoTimes reports  "Mexico was responsible for more than 80 percent of the 12,563 metric tons of avocados imported in 2014", and will be most severely impacted.

"It’s expected that prices of avocados in Costa Rica will increase by as much as 25 percent, since there will be less supply, and importers will have to look for other sources, such as China, to supply the country’s avocado appetites." Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/2086972/avocado-prices-will-soar-in-costa-rica-due-to-import-bans/

Pineapple Problems

"How much more would you pay for your fruit salad if you knew its producers were trying to avoid pollution and human rights violations?" That's the question a recent article ("Costa Rica's pineapple monopoly is not so sweet") in the Christian Science Monitor asks, and for good reason. Pineapple is grown as a monoculture crop, and requires increasing amounts of chemicals to produce it. Environmental concerns and labor rights issues are increasingly prominent in the news for the pineapple industry, but there may be better methods of production available. The question is, are we willing to pay for it?