Costa Rica is pioneering the future of running on renewable energy and may be the model for future countries to follow suit.

In the last four years, Costa Rica has generated 98.53% of its electricity from renewable sources. 

How? With its unique geography, forward thinking solutions, and commitment to sustainability, Costa Rica has used its rivers, volcanoes, wind, and solar power to generate its country’s power.

By the year 2021, Costa Rica plans to be completely carbon-neutral.

Since they’ve already operated on only renewable energy (much more difficult than simply being ‘carbon-neutral) for the majority of the last few years, it is definitely feasible.

Carbon Neutral vs 100% Renewable Energy

Before we get too deep in this, let’s have a firm understanding of the difference between what is considered ‘carbon-neutral’ and ‘100% renewable.’

Here is the definition of carbon neutrality:  

In other words, a country can be considered carbon neutral while still using fossil fuels by planting trees that offset the carbon, or funding conservation programs which aim to reduce the amount of carbon in the air.

A country using 100% renewable energy, however, is the process using sources of energy that will never run out. In other words, no fossil fuels.

In addition, any carbon the country does use, it intends to offset through different initiatives. 

Costa Rica: Leading the world in carbon neutrality

For several years now, Costa Rica has run on entirely renewable energy for an average of about 300 days per year. 

That means the government did not burn any oil, coal, or natural gas to power the country.

No other country this size has done this. 

For example, Portugal was recently praised in the news for running on 100% renewables for 4 days. Which is amazing, but also a testament to Costa Rica’s amazing progress.

Here’s how Costa Rica powers their country with renewable electricity

Costa Rica invested early in the power of renewable energy resources and made it a priority to become environmentally sustainable.

Because of that, the country has an abundance of geothermal renewable sources that account for much of the necessary energy to make the country successfully function.

Also, Costa Rica can get a lot of rain. With consistent rainfall, their hydroelectric plants can produce a plethora of energy.

Lastly, the population is small and their workforce is not manufacturing intensive, which means their energy requirements are not as large as some countries.

The future of renewable energy in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has been focused on environmental sustainability from the outset, and they are working hard to keep it a priority in the future. Here is what is in store.

Recently approved to be built, Costa Rica is constructing THREE 50 MW geothermal power plants costing $954 million. It should be known, this is no cheap investment…especially for a small country that is 50th in GDP.

However, the country is taking advantage of their dozen volcanoes (5 of which are active) and investing in the future by showing the world they stand for environmental sustainability.

But it doesn’t stop there.  Costa Rica is also unveiling a 305.5 MW hydroelectric plant that is set to power over half a million homes…which is A LOT, considering there are less than 5 million people in the entire country.

What do you think?

How do you feel about investing in renewable energy?

Written by: Miles Rote – under30experiences.com

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Shinrin-Yoku or forest bathing is the practice of spending time in the forest for better health, happiness and a sense of calm. A pillar of Japanese culture for decades, Shinrin-Yoku is a way to reconnect with nature, from walking mindfully in the woods, to a break in your local park, to walking barefoot on your lawn. Forest Medicine expert, Dr Qing Li’s research has proven that spending time around trees (even filling your home with house plants and vaporising essential tree oils) can reduce blood pressure, lower stress, boost energy, boost immune system and even help you to lose weight. In this video, filmed in Blackwood Forest, Dr Li introduces forest bathing, why it originated in Japan, and explains why you need to get out into the forest today. Along with his years of ground-breaking research, anecdotes on the life-changing power of trees, Dr Li provides the practical ways for you to try forest bathing for yourself in his book Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing.

Available now: https://amzn.to/2HngPj3

Cloud seeding can be done by ground generators, plane, or rocket.

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v28/d274

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_seeding#:~:text=Cloud%20seeding%20is%20a%20type,microphysical%20processes%20within%20the%20cloud.

An informative article about the research into the reuse of cooking oil as a printed material. Shedding light on biodegrading properties from developments at University of Toronto Scarborough’s labs and furthering initiative opportunities in an up and coming market.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/19/business/mcdonalds-oil-3d-printing/index.html

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An earthquake struck north of Boise Tuesday evening, with people across a large area reporting shaking.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports the magnitude 6.5 temblor struck just before 6 p.m. It was centered 73 miles (118 kilometers) northeast of Meridian, near the rural mountain town of Stanley. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

More than 2 million live in the region that could feel the Idaho quake, according to the USGS, with reports of shaking coming in from as far away as Helena, Montana, and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Marcus Smith, an emergency room health unit coordinator at St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center, said the hospital, about 65 miles (104 kilometers) south of the epicenter, shook but the quake didn’t interfere with the treatment of any patients. The hospital in Blaine County is on the front line of Idaho’s coronavirus outbreak, in a region with the nation’s highest per-capita rates of known COVID-19 cases outside of New York City and its surrounding counties.

“It felt like a wave going through the ground, so I knew right away what it was. It just felt like waves going through the ground,” he said.

The earthquake added stress during an already tense time for the region, but Smith said everything seemed fine, for now. “Until the next one, I guess,” Smith said. “I mean, that’s what we do. We’re all good.”

Brett Woolley, the owner of Bridge Street Grill in Stanley, said he heard the earthquake coming before he felt it.

“I heard the roar, and at first it sounded like the wind but then the roar was tremendous,” Woolley said about 10 minutes after the earthquake. “The whole house was rattling, and I started to panic. I’m sitting here perfectly still and the water next to me is still vibrating.”

By REBECCA BOONE, Associated Press