Surfers and surf vacation fanatics can be proud that Costa Rica now ranks as one of the top 5 places in the world for being the cleanest country. Below is an article about the findings of a recently published study by Yale and Columbia.

The Universities of Yale and Columbia have published their collaborative study called 2008 Environmental Performance Index (EPI.) The study uses over 40 metrics which are collected from each country and then compiled to produce comparative results for ranking purposes. Costa Rica ranked for the first time in this study in the top of all countries in the world. To give this perspective here are the top five in order of performance: Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Costa Rica. The USA ranked 39, Mexico 47, and China 105

Some east metrics for industrialized countries to achieve high numbers on are the water quality or water stress metrics. Given that most industrial nations have infrastructure to support itself, the ability to provide clean drinking more…

What does Shrimp fishing and permethrin have to do with surfing? Well, nothing and everything. We surf in the ocean where the shrimp live. Many surfers here in Costa Rica have favorite surf spots that are located at the mouths of the many rivers that feed the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. In nature, Shrimp love the river mouths because they bring food that the shrimp love to eat.

What we just found out today is that the Costa Rican government has taken away the privilege of veterinarians to sell permethrin. “Why would they do this?” we asked.  It appears that shrimp fisherman have been using the insecticide to kill shrimp in the ocean as an easier way to collect the shrimp rather by traditional means. It also appears that the Costa Rican government has been aware of this for quite awhile. Their solution has been to prevent veterinarians from selling this insecticide when used as directed is safe and very effective in the control of fleas and ticks on animals and in locations in and around the areas where animals live, which includes our homes. more…

Has anyone read this article written by the New York Times and syndicated around the web under the authors name? The author Thomas L. Friedman seems to have experienced a Costa Rica that is written by Burson-Marsteller the powerhouse public relations firm that the Costa Rican government pays millions per year to keep the sustainable Costa Rican image alive and well in the media. 

Here is the article in full:

Thomas L. Friedman: Costa Rica sets a standard for sustainable growth

LIBERIA, Costa Rica — Sailing down Costa Rica’s Tempisque River on an eco-tour, I watched a crocodile devour a brown bass with one gulp. It took only a few seconds. The croc’s head emerged from the muddy waters near the bank with the foot-long fish writhing in its jaws. He crunched it a couple of times with razor-sharp teeth and then, with just the slightest flip of his snout, swallowed the fish whole. Never saw that before. more…

Thursday March 5th I was going to surf and passed through a new park built with funds donated by the government of China. My friend(tourist from California) and I noticed that two Nicaraguans were climbing up the trees and using long bamboo poles. In the past, I have yelled at and stopped various people from capturing iguanas so they could eat them. Without getting all of you, touch feely people out there riled up about the right of these people to eat food. Please understand that most of the time their motivation is not for protein but the belief that the female iguana eggs are natural Viagra (I am sure you get the idea, this is a PG site.) These are the same people who also buy turtle eggs from people who dig them out of the sand (FYI there are no commerical farms where they cultivate turtle eggs) for the same ignorant belief. Anyhow, I saw two park security persons and asked why are they trying to capture the iguanas? He said they are removing them from the park. I was appalled and decided to come back after a few sets to take come pictures and video to show the world what was happening. more…

These days it is becoming chic and hip to be considered green in the surfing world. Today, many surfers, shapers, surf brands, and offical surf organizations either directly or indirectly support many green initiatives.

Living and surfing in Costa Rica, the original mecca of sustainability and green initiatives one cannot help but be conscious of the effects of irresponsible use of our natural resources. There are hundreds of organizations located in Costa Rica with a mission of ecological conservation.

Today, you can find upwards to 50 sites dedicated to “eco-surfboards” or surfer based environmental activisim groups. What makes this movement different from others is that it is truly global activism at its core. While surfings history is localized in the different countries, today surfers have the disposable income to travel the world seeking the ultimate waves. As a result, local surfers have teamed up with international surfers to fight for whatever issue they have. From “Save the Waves Coalition” to the “Surfrider Foundation” all have a common interest and that is surfing. If you know a surfer, one thing you can bet on is that they live and breathe for the waves. When you combine this committement to the sport and the issue at hand, you will have a formidible activist organization. more…