Costa Rica : un paradis vert ? - Le dessous des cartes | ARTE

Le Dessous des Cartes - ARTE

2 Sept 202311:49

Summary

TLDRThe video script offers an in-depth exploration of Costa Rica, highlighting its unique geography and rich biodiversity. Located in Central America, the country is known for its paradisiacal beaches, lush rainforests, and active volcanoes. Costa Rica has become a haven for eco-tourism, with a significant portion of its territory designated as protected areas and three of its national parks recognized by UNESCO. The country has also made strides in environmental sustainability, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 and achieving nearly 99.9% renewable energy production in 2019. However, the script also addresses the challenges Costa Rica faces, including intensive agriculture, deforestation, and social inequalities. Despite these issues, Costa Rica stands out as a democratic and peaceful nation in Central America, with a high literacy rate and a commitment to education and health, reflecting its unique history and progressive social policies.

Takeaways

🌊 Costa Rica is known for its whale-tail shaped Uvita beach, where whales and dolphins can be seen.
🏞️ The country is highly touristic with its primary forests, volcanoes, rivers, beaches, mangroves, and high biodiversity.
🗺️ Located in Central America, it is a small country with a land area of 51,100 km², situated between North and South America.
🌋 Costa Rica has 19 volcanoes, 5 of which are active, with Arenal being the most famous for its long eruption history.
🌱 The central valley is a fertile plateau and the economic heartland, hosting 3/4 of the country's 5 million inhabitants.
🐦 The country is home to 4% of known animal and plant species, including 900 bird species, 230 mammals, and 12,000 plants.
🏞️ 26% of Costa Rica's territory is protected, one of the highest rates globally, with three of its national parks being UNESCO World Heritage sites.
⚡ In 2019, Costa Rica produced nearly 99.9% of its electricity from renewable sources, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
🕊️ Costa Rica abolished its military in 1949, redirecting funds to education and health, resulting in a high literacy rate and decent GDP per capita.
🌱 Since the late 20th century, Costa Rica has focused on eco-tourism, leveraging its natural beauty to become a key economic sector.
🌳 The country has made significant efforts in reforestation, increasing forest cover from 26% in 1983 to nearly 60% of its territory today.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Uvita beach in Costa Rica?
-Uvita beach is significant as it is known for its whale-tail shape and is located in a paradisiacal setting in the south of Costa Rica. It is a place where whales and dolphins can be seen, and it represents the country's rich biodiversity and natural beauty.
How does Costa Rica's geographical location contribute to its tourism industry?
-Costa Rica's geographical location between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, with its two coastlines and position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, contributes to its tourism industry by offering a diverse range of landscapes, including beaches, volcanoes, and rainforests, which attract tourists.
What is the importance of Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica?
-Arenal Volcano is significant as it is the most famous volcano in Costa Rica and has had one of the longest eruptions in history. It is part of the country's three volcanic chains and contributes to the unique geological features that tourists visit.
What is the Central Valley's role in Costa Rica's economy?
-The Central Valley is a fertile plateau located at the foot of one of the three volcanic chains in Costa Rica. It serves as the economic lung of the country, housing three-quarters of the 5 million inhabitants, including over 2 million in the capital, San José.
How does Costa Rica's biodiversity compare globally?
-Costa Rica has an exceptional biodiversity, with 4% of the known animal and plant species globally, including 900 bird species, 230 mammal species, and 12,000 plant species. It also has a rich marine biodiversity, with its territory extending to the Cocos Island, part of a marine conservation corridor.
What is Costa Rica's stance on environmental protection?
-Costa Rica is a pioneer in environmental protection, with 26% of its territory in protected areas, one of the highest rates in the world. The country aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 through an ambitious energy policy, and in 2019, it produced nearly 99.9% of its electricity from renewable sources.
Why is Costa Rica considered an atypical country in Central America?
-Costa Rica is considered atypical in Central America due to its stable and peaceful democratic regime. Since 1949, it has been the first country in the world to constitutionally abolish its army, redirecting the budget towards education and health, leading to high literacy rates and a good standard of living.
How has Costa Rica's history influenced its current status as a 'green paradise'?
-Costa Rica's history as a late colonizer with no significant precious metals led to the development of a society of small farmers who owned their lands and paid their employees well. This history contributed to the country's egalitarian tendencies and its focus on social policies and environmental preservation.
What is the role of tourism in Costa Rica's economy?
-Tourism plays a key role in Costa Rica's economy, accounting for 6% of its GDP. The country has focused on eco-tourism, leveraging its natural beauty and biodiversity to attract visitors, with nearly 3 million tourists in 2019.
What challenges does Costa Rica face regarding the sustainability of its tourism industry?
-The sustainability of Costa Rica's tourism industry is challenged by its energy-intensive nature and dependency on air travel. Additionally, the country faces the issue of intensive agriculture, which is the second pillar of its economy but contributes to deforestation and water pollution.
What steps has Costa Rica taken to address deforestation?
-In response to deforestation, which saw the country's forest cover drop from 75% in 1945 to 26% in 1983, Costa Rica launched a reforestation policy in 1996. This policy involved compensating farmers for reducing their land use and replanting trees, leading to the reforestation of nearly 60% of the territory.
How does Costa Rica's agricultural sector impact its environmental efforts?
-Costa Rica's agricultural sector, particularly the intensive farming of coffee, bananas, and pineapples, poses a significant challenge to its environmental efforts. The use of pesticides contaminates waterways, and large plantations have contributed to deforestation, which is at odds with the country's image as a leader in environmental protection.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Costa Rica's Natural Wonders and Environmental Achievements

The first paragraph introduces the beautiful Uvita beach in Costa Rica, known for its whale-tail shape, and the country's rich biodiversity, including forests, volcanoes, rivers, beaches, and mangroves. Costa Rica, located in Central America between North and South America, is small in size but boasts a significant variety of landscapes. Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, it has 19 volcanoes, five of which are active. The central valley is the economic heartland, hosting three-quarters of the population. The country's biodiversity is exceptional, with a concentration of animal and plant species, including a vast array of birds, mammals, and plants. Additionally, Costa Rica has expanded its marine biodiversity protection around the Cocos Island. The country has been proactive in environmental conservation, with 26% of its territory designated as protected areas and three of its national parks recognized by UNESCO. Costa Rica also aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, supported by an ambitious energy policy that led to nearly 99.9% of its electricity being produced from renewable sources in 2019. The country's democratic and peaceful regime, unique in Central America, is highlighted by its abolition of the military in 1949, with resources redirected towards education and health, resulting in high literacy rates and a comfortable GDP per capita. Costa Rica's peaceful status in a region plagued by violence and drug trafficking is also noted.

05:02

🏞️ The Historical Journey of Costa Rica's Exceptional Status

The second paragraph delves into the historical background that shaped Costa Rica's unique status. It begins with Columbus's arrival in 1502 and the late colonization around 1563, leading to a society of small landowners without a slave workforce, which influenced the country's egalitarian tendencies. After gaining independence in 1821, Costa Rica avoided civil wars and established free and mandatory primary education in 1869. A significant shift occurred in 1948 with José Figueres Ferrer's rise to power, which saw the abolition of the army, the introduction of democracy, women's suffrage, and nationalization of banks and electricity. Lacking industrial resources, Costa Rica turned to eco-tourism in the late 20th century, which became a key sector, with visitor numbers growing from almost non-existent in 1950 to 3 million in 2019. The country's focus on eco-tourism has been successful, but sustainability concerns arise due to the energy-intensive nature of the industry and reliance on air travel. The agricultural sector, a second pillar of the economy, faces criticism for intensive farming practices and pesticide use, which have led to environmental degradation. Costa Rica has taken steps to address deforestation, with a reforestation policy in 1996 that has allowed for significant recovery of forested areas. However, the country still grapples with rising poverty, inequality, and crime, influenced by factors such as drug trafficking.

10:03

🌱 Challenges and Contradictions in Costa Rica's Pursuit of Paradise

The third paragraph addresses the challenges and contradictions within Costa Rica's image as an ecological paradise. Despite its commitment to biodiversity and carbon neutrality, the country faces issues with intensive agriculture, pollution, and pesticide use. The narrative highlights the country's role as a transit point for drug trafficking from Colombia to the United States, which contributes to increased crime. The paragraph also criticizes President Rodrigo Chaves for not ratifying the Escazú Agreement, the first environmental treaty in the region, which is seen as inconsistent with Costa Rica's environmental identity. The video concludes with a recommendation for further exploration of Latin America's geography through an atlas and a book by Stéphane Bonneau, which focuses on Costa Rica's exceptional biodiversity.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the variety of species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity within species. In the video, Costa Rica is highlighted for its exceptional biodiversity, which includes a vast array of animal and plant species, such as 900 bird species, 230 mammals, and 12,000 plants. This biodiversity is a key theme, as it is one of the main attractions for eco-tourism and a source of national pride.

💡Ecotourism

Ecotourism is a form of sustainable travel that focuses on experiencing and conserving the natural environment and local culture. The video emphasizes Costa Rica's commitment to ecotourism, which is evident in the establishment of national parks and protected areas, contributing to the country's economic development while preserving its natural heritage.

💡Volcanoes

Volcanoes are significant geological features in Costa Rica, with 19 in total, five of which are still active. The video mentions Arenal, a famous volcano known for one of the longest eruptions in history. Volcanoes shape the country's landscape and are a major draw for tourists interested in geological and natural phenomena.

💡Protected Areas

Protected areas are regions of land or water that are conserved due to their ecological, cultural, or scientific significance. The video notes that 26% of Costa Rica's territory is designated as protected, one of the highest percentages in the world. These areas are crucial for preserving the country's rich biodiversity and are a key aspect of its environmental policy.

💡Carbon Neutrality

Carbon neutrality refers to achieving a state where the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere is balanced by an equivalent amount being removed, thus having a net-zero carbon footprint. Costa Rica aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through ambitious renewable energy policies, which is a significant goal highlighted in the video.

💡Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources that are replenished on a human timescale, such as wind, geothermal, and hydro power. The video mentions that in 2019, Costa Rica produced nearly 99.9% of its electricity from renewable sources, showcasing its commitment to sustainable energy and environmental responsibility.

💡Deforestation and Reforestation

Deforestation is the removal of trees and forests, often for agricultural or development purposes. Reforestation, on the other hand, is the process of replanting trees and restoring forests. The video discusses how Costa Rica reacted to deforestation by implementing a reforestation policy, which has allowed the country to reforest nearly 60% of its territory, demonstrating a shift towards sustainable land management.

💡Agricultural Intensity

Agricultural intensity refers to the level of input and output per unit of land, often associated with industrial farming practices. The video points out that intensive agriculture, particularly in coffee and banana production, is a significant part of Costa Rica's economy but also a source of environmental challenges, such as pesticide use and deforestation.

💡Poverty and Inequality

Poverty and inequality are social issues that affect a country's well-being and development. The video notes an increase in poverty rates from 21% in 2019 to 26% in 2020 in Costa Rica, highlighting the need to address these social challenges, especially among indigenous populations who face disproportionate rates of poverty.

💡Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking is the illegal trade of drugs, which can have significant social and economic impacts on a country. The video mentions that Costa Rica is a transit point for drugs from Colombia to the United States, which contributes to issues of crime and violence, posing a challenge to the country's peaceful image.

💡Environmental Treaties

Environmental treaties are international agreements aimed at protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices. The video discusses the refusal of Costa Rica's president to ratify the Escazú Treaty, the first environmental treaty in the region, which is surprising given the country's identity as a leader in environmental conservation.

Highlights

Uvita beach in Costa Rica is known for its whale tail shape and is a paradise where whales and dolphins can be seen.

Costa Rica has become a very touristic country situated between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

The country is rich in biodiversity, featuring primary forests, volcanoes, rivers, beaches, and mangroves.

Costa Rica is located on a narrow strip of land in Central America, between North and South America, and is ten times smaller than France.

The country has a privileged position with two coastlines, the Pacific to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east.

Costa Rica has 19 volcanoes, five of which are still active, including the famous Arenal with one of the longest eruptions in history.

The Central Valley, at the foot of one of the three volcanic chains, is the economic lung of the country and home to three-quarters of the 5 million inhabitants.

Costa Rica has an exceptional biodiversity, including 4% of known animal and plant species, 900 bird species, 230 mammals, and 12,000 plants.

The country's territory extends to Cocos Island, a volcanic, uninhabited island located 500km from its coast, within a marine conservation corridor.

Costa Rica has successfully turned its preserved nature into a national showcase, with three of its 25 national parks classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

26% of the country's territory is protected, one of the highest rates in the world.

As a pioneer in environmental protection, Costa Rica aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 through an ambitious energy policy.

In 2019, Costa Rica produced nearly 99.9% of its electricity from renewable sources, including wind farms, geothermal, and hydroelectric power.

Costa Rica is a democratic, prosperous, and peaceful country, unique in Central America, and has had no army since 1949.

The country has a high literacy rate of 97.8% and a GDP per capita of 10,546 euros, ranking it second in Central America after Panama.

Costa Rica joined the OECD in 2021, a select group of the world's richest democratic countries.

Despite being an ecological paradise, Costa Rica faces challenges such as intensive agriculture, pesticide use, and pollution.

The country has made significant efforts in reforestation, increasing forest cover from 26% in 1983 to nearly 60% of its territory today.

Costa Rica faces the challenge of reducing inequality, with the poverty rate increasing from 21% in 2019 to 26% in 2020.

The country is also dealing with increased grand theft, largely due to drug trafficking as a transit point from Colombia to the United States.