Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast Inside Costa Rica’s Climate Fight: Can the nation hold on to its green ideas?
Feb 20, 2025
Luis Guillermo Solís, former President of Costa Rica, shares insights on his country's impressive environmental journey, highlighting the transformation of forest coverage from 21% to 60%. He discusses policies that prioritize nature, including the Payment for Environmental Services Law. The conversation turns to current challenges, as populist measures threaten these achievements, particularly a potential return to fossil fuels. Solís and co-hosts emphasize the urgency of grassroots efforts to protect Costa Rica's extraordinary environmental legacy.
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Don Pepe
- Christiana Figueres's father, José Figueres Ferrer, abolished Costa Rica's army and prioritized education and nature.
- He's on the 10,000 banknote for founding the Second Republic and enacting democratic reforms.
Hijacked Plane
- José Figueres Ferrer, upon hearing of a hijacked plane landing in Costa Rica, personally intervened with a machine gun and microphone.
- He ordered the release of hostages and the surrender of the hijackers, deterring future incidents.
Payment for Environmental Services
- Costa Rica incentivizes reforestation by paying landowners through a carbon tax on fossil fuels.
- This innovative approach has led to significant forest cover regeneration, demonstrating a successful model.