LIFE IN COSTA RICA

HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH?

What is life in Costa Rica like?

Ask this question, "Where is the happiest place on earth?"

Sure, Disney World claims to be and, though it is a great place to enjoy once in a while, the most satisfying place to live is officially tiny Costa Rica according to the Happy Planet Index.

The Index measures three things: high life expectancy, high life satisfaction, and a low ecological footprint. 143 countries were rated, representing 99 per cent of the world's population, and Costa Rica came out on top---by a lot.

So, when you join two million others for vacations in Costa Rica, ask yourself: what sets this little country apart?

1. What is a person's life expectancy (premise: it is better to live longer than die young)?

2. While alive, how satisfied are people with the quality of their life (premise: living longer but miserably is not very satisfying)?

3. How much does a country cost the planet (premise: sustainable development is better than exhausting resources and has less effect on global warming)?

Like me, you probably assume that the most developed nations will come in towards the top but that is not the case.

Despite its wealth and power, the United States occupies number 114. England does better but still only ranks 74th.

The difference between life in Costa Rica and the USA is striking.

---live longer than Americans (health care is nationalized, nearly free, and universal in Costa Rica)

--- report much higher levels of life satisfaction (they are very happy with their life)

---leave a per capita carbon footprint which is less than a quarter the size of the States.

How did Costa Rica reach the top of the rankings? Many reasons.

The country is committed to (not just talking about) sustainable development. While the Western world, China and India are relying upon nonrenewable, nonsustainable resources (think oil) which are exhausting resources and contributing to serious global pollution and global warming, an astounding 99% of Costa Rica's energy is completely renewable and sustainable.

Indeed, while the States (and other developed countries) dither about how to address power needs, find more and more resources to use up, and try to meet the challenges of global warming, tiny Costa Rica has taken action.

Using a form of carbon tax, it has embarked on an ambitious reforestation effort---and there are 20% more forested areas now than just 20 years ago.

Despite the prospects of large oil deposits off its shores, it refuses to allow oil drilling.

And, it is the first---and to date the only country---to commit to being completely carbon neutral by 2021 (and it's well along the way to accomplish that goal).

Despite the fact that Costa Rica's per capita income is only about $11,000, it has demonstrated that wealth does not equate with happiness or satisfaction in life.

Other countries should be so intelligent.

Maybe that's why folks always seem to describe their life in Costa Rica in just two words:

Pura Vida!

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