Introduction Costa Rica, Otherwise Known As ‘Rich Coast”, Is the Beautiful Country Located in the North West Region of Central America
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McKenna Frison Costa Rica Introduction Costa Rica, otherwise known as ‘Rich Coast”, is the beautiful country located in the North West region of Central America. This stunning country is not only home to many people, but to a wide variety of plants and animals. Costa Rica is known for many famous items. For example, coffee was the first major export shipped out of Costa Rica in the early 19th century. Until the 20th century, coffee was Costa Rica’s main principal source of wealth. Between the history, topography, climate, and geography, Costa Rica is an amazing country inside and out. Unfortunately, the country of Costa Rica suffers immensely from an extreme environmental problem. About 20,000 acres of land in Costa Rica is deforested annually. In fact, only a quarter of the original forest in Costa Rica is still standing. These are significant numbers, especially when you add in that it all happened in a short amount of time. The main source to this problem is that logging companies will tear down many acres of forest, just to find one specific species of a plant or animal. Everything that was torn down is left to rot, which causes extreme deforestation. Also, farmers are known to clear out forest in order to make room for their cattle, since the beef industry is booming in Costa Rica. The problem of deforestation has been somewhat ignored in Costa Rica, and it’s time to stop destroying homes of innocent plants and animals. The non-profit organization that will be created to target the problem of deforestation is called Trees for the Tropical. This organization will work towards restocking the desperate forests in Costa Rica. This project will cover every aspect of Costa Rica that’s imaginable. First it will cover the lifestyle and cultural part of Costa Rica. Such as language, transportation, religion, clothing, education, diet, housing, and population. These research papers consisting of the above topics, will deepen the understanding of the history and customs of Costa Rica. Of course there has to be a political side to every country. This project will go into depth on the labor laws, trade laws, economic laws, and political laws in Costa Rica. By becoming more informed on the political side of Costa Rica, it makes for more educated decisions to be made when it comes to the non-profit organization. Costa Rica is blessed with many affective laws that could definitely benefit the growing problem of deforestation. The non-profit organization Trees for the Tropical can help eliminate deforestation immensely. By selling t-shirts, hosting fundraisers, and receiving donations, Trees for the Tropical will be able to purchase trees that will be planted in the tropical forests in Costa Rica. Trees for the Tropical will be partnering with Costa Rica University, and will be donating the money raised so that they can go out and plant the trees. The reason Trees for the Tropical will be giving the raised money to Costa Rica 1 McKenna Frison Costa Rica University, is so that there can be professional opinions when it comes to picking out and planting the trees. Deforestation Costa Rica’s forests are home to thousands of plants and animals, which a majority of these species are not found anywhere else. Too often such big problems don’t receive as much attention as they should, such as deforestation in Costa Rica. In fact, only a quarter of the original forest is still standing in Costa Rica. The sight of gigantic logging trucks thundering down the road of Costa Rica has become a daily sight in this innocent country. The most devastating part about the deforestation problem in Costa Rica is the fact that an entire area of trees will be cleared in order to find one specific species of tree. Deforestation in Costa Rica affects the ecosystem, soil, and innocent people. Deforestation is also known as the clearing of the Earth’s forest on a massive scale. Costa Rica is suffering from deforestation so heavily, due to the lenient laws made by the forest service. Also, logging companies in Costa Rica don’t exactly discriminate when it comes to deforesting. The need for cattle ranching in Costa Rica occupies the rest of the causes of deforestation. Since Deforestation Rates Annually the 1950’s, more than 70% 60% of Costa Rica has 60% been destroyed to 50% create room for cattle. Costa Rica has such 40% good ground for cattle 30% to live on that during 20% the 1960’s the United 10% States even offered them millions of dollars 0% Costa Rica United States to keep their beef production steady. Unfortunately there are many reasons behind the deforestation in Costa Rica, which has led to several ongoing problems. 2 McKenna Frison Costa Rica The people in Costa Rica are affected by deforestation in a few ways, but mainly by the environmental problems that are caused. The process of clearing out thousands of trees at a time can actually result in land erosion. Once the land erodes, this can become a serious safety hazard for the people in Costa Rica. When a patch of trees is removed, the soil under the surface is stripped of the roots that supply its structure and support. Once the support is taken away, water and gravity are able to cause the land to move. This significant problem can eventually turn into a major flood, loss of hydroelectric, and takes away obvious wood resources. Deforestation also takes away many forestry jobs from innocent people. Unfortunately, the problem of deforestation is similar to a life cycle. Once you take the main source of life away, then everything that relies on it starts falling apart. Attempting to eliminate the high deforestation rates in Costa Rica is extremely important. In fact, tropical forests, much like the ones Costa Rica has, are necessary for our climate to remain stabilized. Tropical forests remove the CO2 from the atmosphere and are able to store much more carbon than forests in rather temperate areas. If the problem of deforestation doesn’t get reduced, then the Earth’s ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere could be affected immensely. There are many obvious benefits that come with eliminated deforestation. Some benefits include improving the ecosystem, repairing the soil, and eliminating the risk of erosion. Whether it’s damaging the ecosystem, eroding the precious soil of Costa Rica, or interfering with the lives of people, deforestation seems to accomplish it all. Starting a campaign to raise money for newly planted trees in Costa Rica could help immensely. All it takes is some inspired people, and a caring attitude that will replenish the innocent forests of Costa Rica. Non-Profit Mission Statement Trees for the Tropical is dedicated to replenish the deforested Tropical Roots of Costa Rica, and is willing to go to extreme extents to get the job done. 3 McKenna Frison Costa Rica What We Do Trees for the Tropical helps reduce the problem of deforestation in Costa Rica by fundraising money that is donated to the science department at the University of Costa Rica. The University of Costa Rica is a public university in Costa Rica, and is also the oldest college in the country. Trees for the Tropical donates the fundraised money to the biology department at the University. Although providing the University of Costa Rica with the fundraised money, none of it could happen without the financial support. Trees for the Tropical creates grey shirts that consist of two trees that have roots in the shape of a heart. These simple yet stylish shirts are being sold for $10. For every t-shirt that’s sold, about one to two trees are planted in Costa Rica. Also, there are designated people that are in charge of putting on charity events, contacting local businesses, and doing everything possible to raise money. By educating children in Costa Rica about an environmental problem that is very close to them, and by selling creative shirts, this non-profit idea will hopefully be nothing but successful. Trees for the Tropical hopes to spread awareness about deforestation, and help replenish the tropical forests in Costa Rica. Ways You Can Help Donate Money Contact local businesses Put on charity events (auctions, dinners) Have money jars at every restaurant and store Buy a product you are selling T-shirts Consists of two trees that make a heart from the roots T-shirts will be made by local business in the US Volunteer your time Encourage people to volunteer at our fundraising events Collect donations Partnerships The Costa Rica government- Could possibly help financially, and could allow the partnership to happen University of Costa Rica- Not only give Trees for the Tropical professional help when it comes to actually planting the trees, but gives hands on educational opportunities for students. Local Citizens- Everyone who helps at any charity events receives a free t-shirt 4 McKenna Frison Costa Rica Geographical Area Analysis From the edge of the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica is one of the most favored countries in the world. With many different geographical landmarks in the country, Costa Rica holds many historical features. Costa Rica is also the only country left in Central America that doesn’t hold a standing army, which makes this country even more valuable. After elaborating on Costa Rica’s location, topography, and climate, many thriving business or economical ideas could be potentially created that can help benefit this country. Costa Rica is located in the North West part of Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea (The World Factbook).