🇨🇷 Why Costa Rica?
A host to 6% of the world's biodiversity
From the 80 different species of mangroves in the world 15% can be found in North and Central America. In fact, 7 from those 80 species, can only be found in Costa Rica.
According to data from Global Mangrove Watch, Costa Rica hosted around 371.11 km² in 2020, this represents a linear coverage of 34.57% of the 2,485.87 km of the coastline and 0.25% of the world's mangrove coverage.
The total organic carbon stored in Costa Rica mangroves is estimated at 52 Mt CO₂e with 7 Mt CO₂e stored in above-ground biomass and 45 Mt CO₂e stored in the upper 1m of soil.
🌎 Home to 6% of the Earth's biodiversity
Despite covering only 0.03% of the planet's surface, Costa Rica is home to approximately 6% of global biodiversity. Its ecosystems range from lush rainforests and cloud forests to mangroves and coral reefs, providing critical habitat for thousands of plant and animal species—many of them endemic. For instance, the country is home to 850 bird species, each thriving across its diverse ecosystems. This remarkable concentration of life makes the country a global hotspot for conservation, research, and ecotourism.
🌴 #1 country in the world in successfully reversing deforestation
Costa Rica experienced one of the highest rates of deforestation worldwide during the 1970s and 1980s. In 1950, forests covered more than one-half of Costa Rica; by 1995, forest cover had declined to 25% of the national territory. Deforestation was principally driven by inappropriate policies including cheap credit for cattle, land-titling laws that rewarded deforestation, and rapid expansion of the road system. These policy incentives have since been removed and Costa Rica has become one of the world’s leading proponents of environmentally sustainable development.
🏞️ Over 30% of its territory is protected
Costa Rica has set aside more than 30% of its land as protected areas, including national parks, biological reserves, and wildlife refuges. This commitment to conservation ensures the protection of critical habitats and species, while also supporting ecological research, sustainable tourism, and climate resilience. Few countries in the world have matched this level of environmental dedication.
⚡ 95% of its energy comes from renewable sources
Costa Rica generates over 95% of its electricity from renewable energy—primarily hydroelectric power, supplemented by wind, geothermal, and solar. This long-standing commitment to clean energy has positioned the country as a global leader in sustainable development and climate action. It consistently ranks among the greenest energy grids in the world, proving that a low-carbon future is both possible and economically viable.
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