Costa Rica Achieved 99% Renewable Energy In 2015

For 285 days this year, Costa Rica powered its grid on 100% renewable sources

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Buen Trabajo, Costa Rica! In April of this year, the bio-diverse nation announced that it had not used any fossil fuels for electricity. Now, at the end of 2015, the Costa Rican Electricity Institute has revealed in a statement that 285 days this year were fossil fuel-free.

Witnessing a small country like Costa Rica source nearly all of its energy from renewable resources gives one hope that soon, all countries will be able to boast similar results.

Phys reports that the bulk of the small nation’s power generation comes from hydropower, thanks to a large river system and heavy tropical rainfalls. Geothermal energy, wind, biomass, and solar power are also relied upon by the green nation.

According to the institute, Costa Rica was ahead of its renewable energy targets and goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2021, despite 2015 being a very dry year. It’s aim for the future is not only to hit 100% renewable energy but to clean up energy consumption in general, such as moving the transportation sector away from fossil fuels and becoming less dependent on hydropower. It could do this by adding more geothermal energy plants and harnessing energy from other sources.

Earlier this year, the popular tourist destination was in the news for choosing to shut down its remaining zoos and free all wildlife in captivity.

It seems the progressive developments taking place in Costa Rica are not only benefiting the environment but citizens, too. Transitioning to fossil fuel-free energy sources has caused energy prices to fall by 12%. The institute predicts prices will continue to decline in the future.

Many nations have a long way to go before they can reach the same milestones, but progress is being made. Denmark, for example, generated 140% of its energy needs on a particularly windy day earlier this year, and Uruguay is now running on 95% clean energy. 

In addition, Sweden has announced it aims to be the first fossil fuel-free nation in the world, Austria’s largest state is running on 100% renewable energy, and the state of Hawaii intends to be the first in the U.S. to be powered by 100% renewable resources, as well.

The world is changing in many positive and powerful ways.

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Costa Rica Plans To Shut Down Its Zoos And Free All Animals In Captivity

OK This news is too awesome not to share. In 2013, the beautifully diverse country of Costa Rica announced that it would become the first country in the world to shut down its zoos and free all captive animals.  Home to 4% of all known species, the tropical nation is one of the most biodiverse locations on Earth – a major reason why tourism is its #1 industry.

Unfortunately, the country is now contractually obligated to keep the doors of its two zoos open for another ten years, after a court ruling last Friday (more info below). Still, the news of its intentions (documented in 2013) are inspiring enough to share, and activists are continuing to appeal in favor of the government’s desire to transform its zoos into cage-less bio parks.

The nation has plans to close its two government-run zoos as part of an emerging new environmental consciousness that question’s humanity’s dominion over all creatures. Like the landmark ruling in New York concerning chimpanzees, this controversial move has ignited both favorand fury.

Treehugger reports that the nation, which is also the first to completely ban hunting for sport, intends to close its only two zoos in the country, the Simon Bolivar Zoo, and the Santa Ana Conservation. By closing these two establishments, the nation seeks to convey to the world itsrespect towards wild birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Said the Environmental Minister René Castro, “We are getting rid of the cages and reinforcing the idea of interacting with biodiversity in botanical parks in a natural way.” 

She continued:

“We don’t want animals in captivity or enclosed in any way unless it is to rescue or save them.”

According to sources, existing management contracts were to be terminated in 2014. Unfortunately, it was mandated last Friday that Costa Rican zoos must remain open for another ten years due to contractual obligations. When the day does come that the country is able to transform its zoos into cage-less bio parks, however, animals in captivity not able to be released into the wild will be cared for in rescue centers and wildlife sanctuaries throughout the country.

Comment your thoughts and share this article if you think other places should do the same.

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