Carbon Emissions Latin America Style

Two Latin American countries take somewhat divergent paths in regards to carbon emission reductions. Interestingly both rely somewhat heavily on eco-tourism to sustain their economies. Costa Rica has announced that they plan on being carbon neutral by 2030. Ecuador on the other hand is hoping to be paid $350 million a year not to open up their massive oil fields (I'll link to Brian Beutler instead of Planet Gore, since Planet Gore did not bother to link to the original article. Wankers). In regards to Costa Rica, Brian comments on the massive amount of carbon emissions the tourism industry uses to arrive in/depart from Costa Rica in order to enjoy the Pura Vida at an expensive eco-lodge.

It should be pointed out that Costa Rica does have a major tourism industry. I wonder if these numbers take into account that, for being so lovely, Costa Rica attracts thousands and thousands of people from other countries who burn through plenty of carbon en route to vacation. Seems like San Jose bears at least some of the responsibility for those small additional emissions, but if I had to guess, I'd say the sinister tourism lobby has squelched that information altogether. I smell conspiracy!

Costa Rica "generates 78 percent of its energy with hydroelectric power and another 18 percent by wind or geothermally." Now we are all for cutting carbon emissions, but 78% hydroelectric power seems very high. Will it be necessary to damn more of Costa Rica's rivers? I am sure that damn and hydroelectric power aren't dirty words in Costa Rica like they are here in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, due to dams' devastating effect salmon and steelhead trout fisheries. Maybe the environmental impact of hydroelectric power in Costa Rica in quite small, I don't know, but something to ponder.

And on the other hand, what is it worth to pay Ecuador not to develop its oil reserves? Maybe this is something the Right and Left can agree on. The forward thinking, environmentally conscience lefties would like to see more alternative energy and less oil development and the Righties might not like to see another "socialist", oil heavy nation in the mold of Venezuela come to power in South America. Maybe a little international diplomacy is in order here.