Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The end of my stay in CR
Well, we just finished up our last obligations for class in CR. I am definately not ready to leave but I had an amazing time while I was here. I made memoreies that will last a lifetime and am so happy I made the trip. We leave Saturday morning so until then we can just hang out, shop, and site-see. I'm sure I will be back in the states before I know it!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Bananas Industry (A Reflection)
Of the three industries that I researched (coffee, ecotourism, and bananas), banana growing is definately lagging in terms of becoming sustainable. Though Chiquita seems to be moving in the right direction, it is only doing so on one plantation and as "Cradle to Cradle" says, being less bad isn't good. When Chiquita is considered a revolutionist in the industry for educating its workers on how not to get sick and for planting a million trees, it is clear that the industry as a whole is far from sustainable.
With that in mind, I began to wonder what would be the best way to move the banana industry onto a more sustainable path for the future. As we learned in class, usually market pressures are the most effective way of imposing change. So, from a market standpoint, what can individual consumers do? What can corporations like Chiquita and Dole do?
The answers are not clear cut but for consumers, the key to making banana companies change will be by speaking with their pocket books. If by changing in some way the amount or kind of bananas they buy, consumers will be able to show the big corporations that they will not stand for anything but change towards being more environmentally sustainable. For Chiquita and Dole and the other big corporations that dominate the banana industry, their roles will be, to change their viewpoints on social and environmental issues involving their companies. Chiquita has made small steps towards realizing and beginning change but I would guesse that 99% of the industry does not share the same views. This must change. It is the responsability of the company's decision makers to realize the harmfulness their banana growing is causing and to turn the industry towards sustainable practice.
Bananas are an intregal part of the economy in CR and an important piece of diets all around the world. Both these facts along with the increasing demand are reasons for an urgent change in the banana industry. The industry must change before its harmful effects are to bad to be reversed. My personal opinion is that bananas are very detrimental to the environment and if the industry is not made sustainable then the whole world may pay the price as future of things like global warming near.
With that in mind, I began to wonder what would be the best way to move the banana industry onto a more sustainable path for the future. As we learned in class, usually market pressures are the most effective way of imposing change. So, from a market standpoint, what can individual consumers do? What can corporations like Chiquita and Dole do?
The answers are not clear cut but for consumers, the key to making banana companies change will be by speaking with their pocket books. If by changing in some way the amount or kind of bananas they buy, consumers will be able to show the big corporations that they will not stand for anything but change towards being more environmentally sustainable. For Chiquita and Dole and the other big corporations that dominate the banana industry, their roles will be, to change their viewpoints on social and environmental issues involving their companies. Chiquita has made small steps towards realizing and beginning change but I would guesse that 99% of the industry does not share the same views. This must change. It is the responsability of the company's decision makers to realize the harmfulness their banana growing is causing and to turn the industry towards sustainable practice.
Bananas are an intregal part of the economy in CR and an important piece of diets all around the world. Both these facts along with the increasing demand are reasons for an urgent change in the banana industry. The industry must change before its harmful effects are to bad to be reversed. My personal opinion is that bananas are very detrimental to the environment and if the industry is not made sustainable then the whole world may pay the price as future of things like global warming near.
EcoTourism 4 (A Reflection)
There is not an activity that I have done in CR that was not revolved around the industry of ecotourism. I was able to experience the biodiversity and natural surroundings that has made CR famous. It was an amazing experience to be able to first hand be involved in the ecotourism practices of CR. From zip-lining to hot springs and cloud forests to snorkeling, I feel like I was able to see all aspects of ecotourism that Costa Rica has to offer. One of the most amazing things of these trips was that one country had all this to offer.
After these experiences, my personal, first reaction opinion, is that CR is doing an excellent job of preserving its natural surroundings while also providing a popular income generating service. The improvements I feel ecotourism could make to become more sustainable are very minor. Obviously, gas powered boats for transportation, cutting down trees to make concrete trails through forests, and the creation of lodging in otherwise natural parts of the country does not fit the environmental sustainable game plan. But the alternative to these small infringments on nature might be the total destruction of the biodiversity in CR. By having so much ecotourism, Costa Rican citizens are prospering and maybe more importantly, the world is prospering. The ecotourism industry in CR has saved the country from deforestation and the rest of the world from a more problematic global warming.
The biggest issue that I observed, is the amount of people who participate in ecotourism. On our trips, I noticed some places had less wildlife than others and in some places the wildlife was not afraid of humans due to being fed. The practices that are making these two things possible should be restructured. Preservation must be the number one thing that ecotourism accomplishes. As my experience with ecotourism grew from week to week I found myself more concerned about the footprint I left behind by participating.
Overall, the practice of ecotourism is pivotal to recreating a mindset all around the world that one can prosper off nature without abusing it. CR seems to have their ecotourism developement and industry in pretty good balance and could be a model for other countries with the same capabilities. Investment from N. America and Europe can ensure that the forests needed to hault global warming exist and even expand deep into the future.
Ecotourism is almost there from a sustainable standpoint and is an industry where sustainability is a great benefit. When prospering of preserving nature, the market forces with eventually make the industry sustainable. My experience has been exceptional and is a big reason why I think ecotourism can be a successful sustainable industry sooner rather than later.
After these experiences, my personal, first reaction opinion, is that CR is doing an excellent job of preserving its natural surroundings while also providing a popular income generating service. The improvements I feel ecotourism could make to become more sustainable are very minor. Obviously, gas powered boats for transportation, cutting down trees to make concrete trails through forests, and the creation of lodging in otherwise natural parts of the country does not fit the environmental sustainable game plan. But the alternative to these small infringments on nature might be the total destruction of the biodiversity in CR. By having so much ecotourism, Costa Rican citizens are prospering and maybe more importantly, the world is prospering. The ecotourism industry in CR has saved the country from deforestation and the rest of the world from a more problematic global warming.
The biggest issue that I observed, is the amount of people who participate in ecotourism. On our trips, I noticed some places had less wildlife than others and in some places the wildlife was not afraid of humans due to being fed. The practices that are making these two things possible should be restructured. Preservation must be the number one thing that ecotourism accomplishes. As my experience with ecotourism grew from week to week I found myself more concerned about the footprint I left behind by participating.
Overall, the practice of ecotourism is pivotal to recreating a mindset all around the world that one can prosper off nature without abusing it. CR seems to have their ecotourism developement and industry in pretty good balance and could be a model for other countries with the same capabilities. Investment from N. America and Europe can ensure that the forests needed to hault global warming exist and even expand deep into the future.
Ecotourism is almost there from a sustainable standpoint and is an industry where sustainability is a great benefit. When prospering of preserving nature, the market forces with eventually make the industry sustainable. My experience has been exceptional and is a big reason why I think ecotourism can be a successful sustainable industry sooner rather than later.
Final Coffee Post (A Reflection)
I came to CR with very little knowledge of anything to do with coffee. I knew as much as to how my parents brewed and enjoyed their coffee. I personally did not enjoy coffee for anything other than its aroma. But, after spending time examining and researching the coffee industry in CR and around the world, I quickly realized the complexity growing coffee entails on all levels, including a business processes level, social, environmental, and sustainability levels.
Now, when I think of coffee, so much more comes to my mind. I was able to experience every level of coffee production and formed my own ideas on how coffee can become sustainable. Though coffee may be successful in CR, the negative effects of making it successful may be too much. I wonder if coffee production might be better suited, from a sustainablility standpoint, by being produced in other parts of the world.
After seeing the coffee industry in CR first hand, I have come away better educated and prepared to talk about sustainability in a way that can relate to almost any business. The first week's visits to two totally different coffee plantations/businesses really opened my eyes to the sustainability issues the coffee industry faces but moreso, to how these same issues can be applied to other industries around the world.
Since an industry that seems as simple as coffee struggles with so many issues concerning sustainability, it sparked my initial interest into discovering how other industries and companies, with even more complexity, can begin to move towards sustainable practices. Throughout lecture and research for projects, I was able to relate sustainability back to the basic problems the Costa Rican coffee industry faces.
The influence the coffee industry has on Costa Rica's economy will always be a lasting impression in my mind. It will be interesting to follow the country and its progress towards helping the coffee industry become sustainable as I grow into a business man myself. One day it may be possible that CR will be considered a leader of sustainable developement and considered a model nation for forming sustainable industries.
Now, when I think of coffee, so much more comes to my mind. I was able to experience every level of coffee production and formed my own ideas on how coffee can become sustainable. Though coffee may be successful in CR, the negative effects of making it successful may be too much. I wonder if coffee production might be better suited, from a sustainablility standpoint, by being produced in other parts of the world.
After seeing the coffee industry in CR first hand, I have come away better educated and prepared to talk about sustainability in a way that can relate to almost any business. The first week's visits to two totally different coffee plantations/businesses really opened my eyes to the sustainability issues the coffee industry faces but moreso, to how these same issues can be applied to other industries around the world.
Since an industry that seems as simple as coffee struggles with so many issues concerning sustainability, it sparked my initial interest into discovering how other industries and companies, with even more complexity, can begin to move towards sustainable practices. Throughout lecture and research for projects, I was able to relate sustainability back to the basic problems the Costa Rican coffee industry faces.
The influence the coffee industry has on Costa Rica's economy will always be a lasting impression in my mind. It will be interesting to follow the country and its progress towards helping the coffee industry become sustainable as I grow into a business man myself. One day it may be possible that CR will be considered a leader of sustainable developement and considered a model nation for forming sustainable industries.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Pics from Puerto Viejo
From Bottom to Top:
Our hotel near Puerto Viejo.
View from my room.
Our hotel's private beach.
Me on the beach ready to swim!
Me ready to go around town on my mo-ped! Exciting!
Me ready to go around town on my mo-ped! Exciting!
Trip to Puerto Viejo
We arrived late Friday night in Puerto Viejo and stayed in a little motel for the night. Saturday morning, before leaving for our final destination, we went snorkeling. This time we were in the Carribean Sea and were able to see a coral reef along with tropical fish. I did not find this snorkeling trip to be as successful as the trip in the Pacific in the Osa. After snorkeling, we were provided snacks and allowed to rest on the beach and walk around a National Park. In just a short amount of time we were able to discover white-faced monkeys, a 3-fingered sloth, and a yellow-eyelash viper. Seeing these three creatures were all very exciting because it was the first time seeign the sloth and snake and because we were able to get very close in observing them. After a short boat ride back to the mainland, we were provided lunch. Soon after, we boarded the bus to depart for our final destination in Cahiuta, Costa Rica.
When we arrive in the early afternoon on Saturday, I spent almost my entire time either on the beach or in the hotels pool. During our stay, all meals were provided and they were very delicious! We had our own private beach and pool, as well as a sand volleyball court for some recreation. All day Sunday was spent soaking up the Costa Rican sun. Luckily I avoided getting burned! While at the beach we passed the football and frisbee, played volleyball, swam and relaxed. It was exactly how I had pictured Costa Rica in my mind. Nights were spent relaxing with the many friends I had made on the trip. On Monday morning, it was a little sad to leave because it was a great final trip and made me realize the end of my Costa Rican Study Abroad stay was near.
On the way back to San Jose we stopped again in Puerto Viejo for a 2 hour shopping/lunch break. Myself and 3 other friends decided to rent mopeds for and hour. We used them mostly as a joy ride around the town but were also able to get some shopping and lunch done. I was definately not experienced in driving the vehicle but quickly got accustomed to driving it and ended up having an amazing time! After turning in our mopeds and getting some ice cream, it was back onto the bus for the 4 hour ride back to San Jose.
We arrived around 4:30 pm safely. Pictures of this trip are soon to follow.
When we arrive in the early afternoon on Saturday, I spent almost my entire time either on the beach or in the hotels pool. During our stay, all meals were provided and they were very delicious! We had our own private beach and pool, as well as a sand volleyball court for some recreation. All day Sunday was spent soaking up the Costa Rican sun. Luckily I avoided getting burned! While at the beach we passed the football and frisbee, played volleyball, swam and relaxed. It was exactly how I had pictured Costa Rica in my mind. Nights were spent relaxing with the many friends I had made on the trip. On Monday morning, it was a little sad to leave because it was a great final trip and made me realize the end of my Costa Rican Study Abroad stay was near.
On the way back to San Jose we stopped again in Puerto Viejo for a 2 hour shopping/lunch break. Myself and 3 other friends decided to rent mopeds for and hour. We used them mostly as a joy ride around the town but were also able to get some shopping and lunch done. I was definately not experienced in driving the vehicle but quickly got accustomed to driving it and ended up having an amazing time! After turning in our mopeds and getting some ice cream, it was back onto the bus for the 4 hour ride back to San Jose.
We arrived around 4:30 pm safely. Pictures of this trip are soon to follow.
Chiquita Plantation Visit
Friday afternoon, we stopped for a visit to a Chiquita Banana plantation visit. Here we were educated about the banana industry as a whole, learned of different Chiquita operations, and were allowed to tour their facilities. The biggest part of the presentation seemed to be Chiquita's effort to inform us of their groundbreaking Nature and Community Project that I mentioned in an earlier blog that is attempting to make banana growing more sustainable while also restoring natural rain forest around the plantation. Chiquita's commitment to corporate responsibility "is about investing in people today, replenishing the land for tomorrow and setting an example for generations to come."
Some of the things I learned about the banana industry and Chiquita's role include, Bananas grow where yearly rainfall is between 78-98 inches per year with temperature averaging 80 degrees F. Across Panama, CR, Honduras, and Guatemala, Chiquita owns approxiamately 37,000 acres of banana plantations. In 2004, Chiquita shipped 136 million boxes of bananas around the world. The banana industry accounts for 10% of workforce in Cr. Banana plants are considered an herb which makes it the largest in the world. It takes 6-8 months for bananas to develope on the stem. Chiquita encourages opportunities for more income to come into the communities through Group Nogua. Chiquita has joined forces with Rainforest Alliance in an attempt to improve environmental sustainability. Other information about packing and shipping were also provided.
Seeing both the packing facility and where the banana plants grow was amazing. The packing facility was not very big, but from watching the workers, I could tell that the proccess was fined tuned to be very efficient. Every worker had their own job on the assembly line and it was all very interesting to see how the finished product is prepared. The process was nothing like I imagined and I am grateful for being able to experience it. As far as the plantation and the rows of banana plants, I was surprised at the complexity of growing bananas. The use of unatural sprays and bags and such, was all kind of surprising. As far as I could see around me, there were banana plants. Overall, the workers I saw seemed happy or at least not unhappy with their work.
It was interesting to me, that by speaking with my professors, I saw a different view of the banana industry. They said they use too also stop at a Dole banana plantation, but have stopped that because of the bad conditions they saw while there. They were quick to point out that Chiquita is one of the best in terms of safety and cleanliness and just by visiting could be considered better than Dole in terms of sustainability.
Picture of the visit are soon to come!!
Some of the things I learned about the banana industry and Chiquita's role include, Bananas grow where yearly rainfall is between 78-98 inches per year with temperature averaging 80 degrees F. Across Panama, CR, Honduras, and Guatemala, Chiquita owns approxiamately 37,000 acres of banana plantations. In 2004, Chiquita shipped 136 million boxes of bananas around the world. The banana industry accounts for 10% of workforce in Cr. Banana plants are considered an herb which makes it the largest in the world. It takes 6-8 months for bananas to develope on the stem. Chiquita encourages opportunities for more income to come into the communities through Group Nogua. Chiquita has joined forces with Rainforest Alliance in an attempt to improve environmental sustainability. Other information about packing and shipping were also provided.
Seeing both the packing facility and where the banana plants grow was amazing. The packing facility was not very big, but from watching the workers, I could tell that the proccess was fined tuned to be very efficient. Every worker had their own job on the assembly line and it was all very interesting to see how the finished product is prepared. The process was nothing like I imagined and I am grateful for being able to experience it. As far as the plantation and the rows of banana plants, I was surprised at the complexity of growing bananas. The use of unatural sprays and bags and such, was all kind of surprising. As far as I could see around me, there were banana plants. Overall, the workers I saw seemed happy or at least not unhappy with their work.
It was interesting to me, that by speaking with my professors, I saw a different view of the banana industry. They said they use too also stop at a Dole banana plantation, but have stopped that because of the bad conditions they saw while there. They were quick to point out that Chiquita is one of the best in terms of safety and cleanliness and just by visiting could be considered better than Dole in terms of sustainability.
Picture of the visit are soon to come!!
Pics From La Selva
From Bottom to Top:
Poison Dart Frog.
Leaves that had been cut by leaf cutter ants.
Spider Monkey.
Wild Hog.
Bullet Ant (about and inch long) and whose bite hurts more than 50 bee stings and causes lots of swelling.
LaSelva Research Station
Thursday we departed San Jose to spend a night at La Selva Biological Research Station. La Selva is part of the Organization for Tropical Studies, which is a group of organizations devoted to the study of tropical rain forests. La Selva is the primary location for this organization and accomadates those wanting to study or observe and is located in the Atlantic lowlands of CR.
During our stay we were scheduled for two different walks. One for late afternoon/early evening and one for early morning. On the first walk we were lucky enough to see many poisonous Dart Frogs, wild pigs, birds, and many different insects. On the morning walk, we attempted to find one of the many poisonous snakes that call La Selva home. We were unsuccessful but the walk again, opened my eyes to the beauty and diversity located in Costa Rica. Pictures of some of our findings are to come!!
During our stay we were scheduled for two different walks. One for late afternoon/early evening and one for early morning. On the first walk we were lucky enough to see many poisonous Dart Frogs, wild pigs, birds, and many different insects. On the morning walk, we attempted to find one of the many poisonous snakes that call La Selva home. We were unsuccessful but the walk again, opened my eyes to the beauty and diversity located in Costa Rica. Pictures of some of our findings are to come!!
EcoTourism 3 (Troubles seen with EcoTourism)
With 5% of the world's biodiversity and 6 different types of ecosystems present in CR, the pressure to preserve these regions is very high. Is Ecotourism the solution to preserving these areas while also allowing Costa Rican citizens to prosper off the land? With 1.5 million tourists a year and Costa Rican Government wanting to double that figure by 2012, the future of ecotourism seems strong, but what is to become of the areas it is supposed to protect and preserve? Costa Rica is a world leader in the developement of the ecotourism industry and should make sure to preserve its number one asset, the natural surrounding people come to see.
With demand so high, more and more Costa Ricans are converting their farms and other businesses into something that has to do with ecotourism. Whether it is a lodge, natural springs spa, or an adventure offering business, an end to expansion is not in sight. All these things are being built in an effort for local people to benefit from the ecosystems that surround them.
The question being posed now, according to Leo Hickman an author of Guardian Books is "should tourists be allowed to access some of the most extreme and sensitive wildlife habitats on the planet? Wouldn't it be better if such places were restricted to all but a few scientists and indigenous communities in order to better protect them? " Although cutting tourism out of the picture might not be totally neccasary, the qoute does raise questions of regulations being placed on ecotourism developement. Costa Rica's former environment and energy minister, Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, believes that "At first, it was only tourists interested in wildlife who came here, but this has changed. We need to stop promoting mass tourism and get fewer tourists who pay more. I would set rules about density and capacity." Diego Bermudez, Costa Rica's president of tour guides union and a professor at Rice Learning Institute, explains some of the detrimental results of over-tourism in his quote, "Ten years ago, I would see five pairs of quetzal [one of the region's most treasured birds] a day in some parks, but now I have to walk for hours off the trails to find them. You never see mammals any more from the trails, either. The tourists aren't to blame - they don't come across the sea just to destroy our habitats. We need to have an ethical code among the companies bringing people here to agree on visitor limits."
The main reason that the system CR presently has in place is not sustainable is the fact that it is largely voluntary. It is time that the entire ecotourism industry become environmentally certified as sustainable. Setting limits to future ecotourism developement ensures that both Costa Rican citizens investment and the environment can begin to grow in a manner that will allow both to be sustainable forever.
With demand so high, more and more Costa Ricans are converting their farms and other businesses into something that has to do with ecotourism. Whether it is a lodge, natural springs spa, or an adventure offering business, an end to expansion is not in sight. All these things are being built in an effort for local people to benefit from the ecosystems that surround them.
The question being posed now, according to Leo Hickman an author of Guardian Books is "should tourists be allowed to access some of the most extreme and sensitive wildlife habitats on the planet? Wouldn't it be better if such places were restricted to all but a few scientists and indigenous communities in order to better protect them? " Although cutting tourism out of the picture might not be totally neccasary, the qoute does raise questions of regulations being placed on ecotourism developement. Costa Rica's former environment and energy minister, Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, believes that "At first, it was only tourists interested in wildlife who came here, but this has changed. We need to stop promoting mass tourism and get fewer tourists who pay more. I would set rules about density and capacity." Diego Bermudez, Costa Rica's president of tour guides union and a professor at Rice Learning Institute, explains some of the detrimental results of over-tourism in his quote, "Ten years ago, I would see five pairs of quetzal [one of the region's most treasured birds] a day in some parks, but now I have to walk for hours off the trails to find them. You never see mammals any more from the trails, either. The tourists aren't to blame - they don't come across the sea just to destroy our habitats. We need to have an ethical code among the companies bringing people here to agree on visitor limits."
The main reason that the system CR presently has in place is not sustainable is the fact that it is largely voluntary. It is time that the entire ecotourism industry become environmentally certified as sustainable. Setting limits to future ecotourism developement ensures that both Costa Rican citizens investment and the environment can begin to grow in a manner that will allow both to be sustainable forever.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
More on Bananas!!
Conditions within the banana industry are not always beneficial to the countries in which the crop is grown. Banana growing operations are largely owned by foriegn corporations and almost all profit leaves the country in which the crop is grown. Usually the plantation owner is the only person to become wealthy and many of the regular workers are exploited in an effort to maximize profit. These exploitations include being badly paid, having few rights, and being in danger of unjust firings and wage reductions.
Other problems the banana industry creates include by-products of harvesting and processing of bananas as well as other harmful waste. These wastes are oftenn dumped in landfills, rivers, oceans, or even un-regulated dumping sites. The accumulation of banana growth waste often results in the spread of disease, contamination of ground water, and harmful effects on those that live around the areas.
A company that is fighting all these problems in an attemt to turn around the whole banana industry is Chiquita Banana, the 2nd largest banana producer in the world. Through their pilot project, Nature and Community Project, Chiquita is trying to develope new processes that solve or address both the environmental and social issues of growing bananas. Some of the rules and regulations that Chiquita has been certified for with regards to workers include:
-No child labor, forced labor, or discrimination
-Safe working conditions and protection of employees health
-Freedom of association and collective bargaining
-No harsh or disrespective treatment
-48 hour work week max, overtime is voluntary and can be no more than 12 hours per week
-Wages meeting and usually exceeding legal or industry standards
-Workers using pesticides are well trained and protected. They also must shower after useage.
For over 4 years, Chiquita has also set into effect through this program, ways in which their plantations are less harmful and even somewhat beneficial to their environmental surroundings (planting more than 1 million trees). By using less and less pesticides and herbicides while also replanting native plants and tress on the plantation to create a natural rain forest, Chiquita is making advances to make their banana plantaions less harmful and more natural to the original environment. From working with Rainforest Alliance to making their plastic bags biodegradable, Chiquita is working towards sustainability.
While this project is currently present on only one plantation, its early success should lead to expansion to more and more platations that Chiquita owns. Doing so will set industry standards high and Chiquita's competitors will be playing the "catch-up" game. The ideas being implemented in Chiquita's Nature and Community project will hopefully reflect throughout the whole industry sooner rather than later.
Other problems the banana industry creates include by-products of harvesting and processing of bananas as well as other harmful waste. These wastes are oftenn dumped in landfills, rivers, oceans, or even un-regulated dumping sites. The accumulation of banana growth waste often results in the spread of disease, contamination of ground water, and harmful effects on those that live around the areas.
A company that is fighting all these problems in an attemt to turn around the whole banana industry is Chiquita Banana, the 2nd largest banana producer in the world. Through their pilot project, Nature and Community Project, Chiquita is trying to develope new processes that solve or address both the environmental and social issues of growing bananas. Some of the rules and regulations that Chiquita has been certified for with regards to workers include:
-No child labor, forced labor, or discrimination
-Safe working conditions and protection of employees health
-Freedom of association and collective bargaining
-No harsh or disrespective treatment
-48 hour work week max, overtime is voluntary and can be no more than 12 hours per week
-Wages meeting and usually exceeding legal or industry standards
-Workers using pesticides are well trained and protected. They also must shower after useage.
For over 4 years, Chiquita has also set into effect through this program, ways in which their plantations are less harmful and even somewhat beneficial to their environmental surroundings (planting more than 1 million trees). By using less and less pesticides and herbicides while also replanting native plants and tress on the plantation to create a natural rain forest, Chiquita is making advances to make their banana plantaions less harmful and more natural to the original environment. From working with Rainforest Alliance to making their plastic bags biodegradable, Chiquita is working towards sustainability.
While this project is currently present on only one plantation, its early success should lead to expansion to more and more platations that Chiquita owns. Doing so will set industry standards high and Chiquita's competitors will be playing the "catch-up" game. The ideas being implemented in Chiquita's Nature and Community project will hopefully reflect throughout the whole industry sooner rather than later.
More Coffee!!
Touching on some of the environmental risks that coffee poses to CR is important to consider when accessing the success of the coffee industry as a whole. As we have learned, it is not good enough anymore to just be successful from a profit point of view and that companies should now be accessed on their relationship with the environment. In the case of the coffee industry as a whole including in CR, there are a few main problems. These problems include, soil erosion, fresh water contamination, and deforeststation.
Both water contamination and soil erosion are caused in general, by the same thing. In the case of water contamination, rain water runoff carries pesticides and other chemicals sprayed on coffee plants to the fresh water streams and rivers of CR. Also, the growth of coffee results in a large amount of organic waste. Though the organic waste does not seem like a bad problem, it is quickly becoming one. When the waste is deposited, it too runs of into the fresh waters where it promotes plant growth which results in the depletion of oxygen. This depletion kills a lot of the natural wildlife that exists in the rivers and streams.
Soil erosion is also becoming an increasingly problematic side effect of growing coffee. It is believed that up to 2/3 of the land Costa Rica uses for animal pastures and agriculture is at a very high risk of erosion. Since coffee is a permanent crop that requires lots of water and for the most part leaves soil unprotected, the areas where it is grown often see hydro-soil erosion occur.
Lastly, deforestation is also something that should be considered when examining the success of the coffee industry. With demand so high for coffee, more and more biodiverse rain forest is being cleared for the planting of coffee plantations. With coffee plants requiring direct sunlight, areas where it is to be grown are often cleared down to the ground. This clearing results not only in the loss of the trees and other plant life but also in the the loss of animal diversity by their habitats being destroyed. According Chris Willey of Rainforest Alliance, "the monoculture of coffee is replacing the most diverse ecosystem on earth".
The problems that coffee growing pose must be addressed. The industry can not be successful in the mindset of environmental sustainability unless the problems stated above are fixed. Solutions must be found by the industry setting its own regulations along with governments setting regulations. Together, the harmful effects of coffee can be stopped and a new trend of being an entirely eco-friendly industry can begin.
Both water contamination and soil erosion are caused in general, by the same thing. In the case of water contamination, rain water runoff carries pesticides and other chemicals sprayed on coffee plants to the fresh water streams and rivers of CR. Also, the growth of coffee results in a large amount of organic waste. Though the organic waste does not seem like a bad problem, it is quickly becoming one. When the waste is deposited, it too runs of into the fresh waters where it promotes plant growth which results in the depletion of oxygen. This depletion kills a lot of the natural wildlife that exists in the rivers and streams.
Soil erosion is also becoming an increasingly problematic side effect of growing coffee. It is believed that up to 2/3 of the land Costa Rica uses for animal pastures and agriculture is at a very high risk of erosion. Since coffee is a permanent crop that requires lots of water and for the most part leaves soil unprotected, the areas where it is grown often see hydro-soil erosion occur.
Lastly, deforestation is also something that should be considered when examining the success of the coffee industry. With demand so high for coffee, more and more biodiverse rain forest is being cleared for the planting of coffee plantations. With coffee plants requiring direct sunlight, areas where it is to be grown are often cleared down to the ground. This clearing results not only in the loss of the trees and other plant life but also in the the loss of animal diversity by their habitats being destroyed. According Chris Willey of Rainforest Alliance, "the monoculture of coffee is replacing the most diverse ecosystem on earth".
The problems that coffee growing pose must be addressed. The industry can not be successful in the mindset of environmental sustainability unless the problems stated above are fixed. Solutions must be found by the industry setting its own regulations along with governments setting regulations. Together, the harmful effects of coffee can be stopped and a new trend of being an entirely eco-friendly industry can begin.
Visit to Makol
Today, Thursday June 5th, we took a short trip to a Costa Rican business by the name of Makol. Makol is a company in one of Costa Rica's Free Trade Zones that specializes in the Distribution of medical Supplies in Latin American and other places around the world. From the visit I learned a lot about the medical supplies industry in CR, which happens to be a very large player in their economy. Makol specializes in mostly ER, cancer detecting, and surgical equipment.
The biggest surprise to me was the difficulty Makol goes through to run its business successfully. Problems arise in all sorts of areas including, tenure bids with the governments, terms and contracts with their customers, and the changing prices in the world today. Competition to win bids is usually very fierce and it is difficult to meet the exact wants and needs of customers which usually results in losing the contract. None the less, last year Makol did 1.2 million U.S. dollars worth of sales and hope to grow that figure to 1.5 million this year.
Due to rising costs of oil, both transportation costs and in some cases product costs are rising. This creates difficulty in submitting bids too far into the future. Since accepted bid prices must be honored for up to 4 years, according to Costa Rican law, companies like Makol are very cautious in the amount of cost in their proposals. Secondly, when dealing with Costa Rican hospitals and other various regions, where the government controls the health care market, it is very difficult to win contracts. When the government awards bids, it demands that their exact needs be met and they always choose the lower price. Makol stated that they have lost contracts before when their product was less per ounce but because their bottles were 11 ounces and the government requested 6 ounces, they did not win the contract.
Another problem that Makol expressed was that Costa Rican law is different from those in America and Europe where they gwet a lot of their products. Because of this, many times shipments do not have the required documentation to be legal in CR. This is just another kink in the way business is performed. If shipments from these countries are late to Makol, Makol has trouble getting their orders out to their customers. If an order is late in Costa Rica, by law, Makol must pay up to a 10% fine of the sales amount which can be devastating to the bottom line.
Makol strives to keep inventories as low as possible but realize that getting them to zero is almost impossible. Due to reasons like the vacation month in the EU and Costa Rican hospitals routinely requesting orders in short amounts of time, some inventory must be kept on hand. I asked if inventory was kept electronicall or manually. The answer is that everything has a bar code but that their reader does not work, which results in manual inventory.
As far as Makol's relationship with sustainability, they did not believe that they hurt the environment. But with the shipping they do, based mostly of fossil fuels, their is room for improvement.
Overall, being able to see a piece of the medical supply industry in CR was very educational. It opened my eyes to another thriving part of Costa Rica's economy and enlightened me of the difficulties the industry faces. Makol seems to be successful by attempting to predict the future in terms of cost. To continue to grow, companies like Makol must continue to be able to work with corporations and countries around the world.
The biggest surprise to me was the difficulty Makol goes through to run its business successfully. Problems arise in all sorts of areas including, tenure bids with the governments, terms and contracts with their customers, and the changing prices in the world today. Competition to win bids is usually very fierce and it is difficult to meet the exact wants and needs of customers which usually results in losing the contract. None the less, last year Makol did 1.2 million U.S. dollars worth of sales and hope to grow that figure to 1.5 million this year.
Due to rising costs of oil, both transportation costs and in some cases product costs are rising. This creates difficulty in submitting bids too far into the future. Since accepted bid prices must be honored for up to 4 years, according to Costa Rican law, companies like Makol are very cautious in the amount of cost in their proposals. Secondly, when dealing with Costa Rican hospitals and other various regions, where the government controls the health care market, it is very difficult to win contracts. When the government awards bids, it demands that their exact needs be met and they always choose the lower price. Makol stated that they have lost contracts before when their product was less per ounce but because their bottles were 11 ounces and the government requested 6 ounces, they did not win the contract.
Another problem that Makol expressed was that Costa Rican law is different from those in America and Europe where they gwet a lot of their products. Because of this, many times shipments do not have the required documentation to be legal in CR. This is just another kink in the way business is performed. If shipments from these countries are late to Makol, Makol has trouble getting their orders out to their customers. If an order is late in Costa Rica, by law, Makol must pay up to a 10% fine of the sales amount which can be devastating to the bottom line.
Makol strives to keep inventories as low as possible but realize that getting them to zero is almost impossible. Due to reasons like the vacation month in the EU and Costa Rican hospitals routinely requesting orders in short amounts of time, some inventory must be kept on hand. I asked if inventory was kept electronicall or manually. The answer is that everything has a bar code but that their reader does not work, which results in manual inventory.
As far as Makol's relationship with sustainability, they did not believe that they hurt the environment. But with the shipping they do, based mostly of fossil fuels, their is room for improvement.
Overall, being able to see a piece of the medical supply industry in CR was very educational. It opened my eyes to another thriving part of Costa Rica's economy and enlightened me of the difficulties the industry faces. Makol seems to be successful by attempting to predict the future in terms of cost. To continue to grow, companies like Makol must continue to be able to work with corporations and countries around the world.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Pics From Osa
From Bottom to Top:
Waiting outside the bus as it tried a dangerous manuvure.
Group of us, after helping to push the bus across the bridge.
The "water forest" we traveled by boat through to get to our hotel.
Our hotel accomadations.
Leaf Cutter Ants at work.
Jaguar foot print.
Massive tree's root that came up during a storm.
Me drinkning from a fresh coconut.
Scarlet McCaw.
The waterfall that we swam in.
Crocadiles we saw while traveling in our boats (thankfully).
Friends with Fernando, the hotel owner.
Osa Penninsula Trip
We left San Jose by bus at 6:30 am Sunday moring for a long trip to the Osa Penninsula. WE traveled on the bus for about 6 hours and the trip was longer than expected due to terrible road conditions and traffic. Osa is considered the most Biodivers prat of Costa Rica and the lack of infrastructure found on the way there made it very clear that the Osa is very untouched from human society. At one point, we had to get of the bus so it could cross a skinny bridge that the bus driver didnt feel safe doing with all of us on. We also at one point had to push the bus to get it unstuck on a hill. The last part of our trip to get to Drake Bay (where our "hotel" awaited) included a 2 hour boat trip down a river and into the Pacific ocean. Without even a place to dock the boat on the beach we were staying, we were forced to get a little wet to reach our final destination.
We were the first guests our hotel had ever had as it just opened recently.Because of this, we were treated amazingly! Noone went hungary and they were very generous in meeting any of our needs. Fernando the owner was especially friendly and made the stay very enjoyable. Where we stayed was probably the most "outdoorsy" place I had ever spent the night. It was small tents with three cots each and bug netting aournd us. Though it was not something that I am used to, it turned out to be lot of fun. It was as if you were staying in the jungle because there was wildlife all around us. Along with a place to stay, the hotel also had a bar and a little sitting area for everyone to relax and play cards and most of our nights were spent doing just that.
The first day in the Osa, was filled with two hikes through the rain forest. The first was for strictly observing the beauty of the nature around us. We were provided a guide and were lucky enough to see many different wildlife. All sorts of bugs, birds, and interesting plants were all seen. My favorit parts were seeing a Jaguar foot print on the path we were following that the guide said was probably about 3 days old and the opening, drinking, and eating of fresh coconut. Again, surprisingly, I found I like something that I originally believed I did not.
The second hike was much shorter and led to a water fall where we were able to swim and relax. The water was a perfect temerature for the hot day and we were ever able to jump off the waterfall into the awaiting pool below. It was a refreshing swim and after the short hike back out of the forest, we traveled by boat back to our hotel.
Tuesday morning we woke up early again and set off by boat for and island that was aboout an hour and a half away. After arriving on the island, we loaded up the gear needed to go snorkeling and headed out to sea. The water was very clear and we were able to see all sots of fish and coral reefs from about 15 feet away. When I dove, I was able to get even closer and I saw many colorful and interesting fish. The highlights for me were seeing two schools of fish both containing what I guessed to be hundreds of fish and the BlueJack fish which was blue on its top half with silver sports and silver on the bottom half. The BueJack was about 3 long and according to our guide is a very good fish to eat. While on the island we also ate lunch, explored the coastline, and swam in the water.
On the boat ride back to our hotel, we saw the bird, Brown Boobie, which led us to dolphins since the Brown Boobie usually follows them and their feeding patterns. The dolphins we saw were Silver-Spotted Bottlernosed and our guide believed they were traveling in a pack of 50 or so. We followed in our boats for about 15 minutes and watched as they came up and out of the water for air.
I spent the nights in the Osa playing Hearts, a new card game that I learned and really enjoyed the company of everyone on the trip with me. The last night, Fernando through a small party for us where he made some cocktails and provided some music for dancing.
Wednseday morning, we left at 7:30 am and arrived back in San Jose around 6 pm after another long and adventurous trip through CR.
We were the first guests our hotel had ever had as it just opened recently.Because of this, we were treated amazingly! Noone went hungary and they were very generous in meeting any of our needs. Fernando the owner was especially friendly and made the stay very enjoyable. Where we stayed was probably the most "outdoorsy" place I had ever spent the night. It was small tents with three cots each and bug netting aournd us. Though it was not something that I am used to, it turned out to be lot of fun. It was as if you were staying in the jungle because there was wildlife all around us. Along with a place to stay, the hotel also had a bar and a little sitting area for everyone to relax and play cards and most of our nights were spent doing just that.
The first day in the Osa, was filled with two hikes through the rain forest. The first was for strictly observing the beauty of the nature around us. We were provided a guide and were lucky enough to see many different wildlife. All sorts of bugs, birds, and interesting plants were all seen. My favorit parts were seeing a Jaguar foot print on the path we were following that the guide said was probably about 3 days old and the opening, drinking, and eating of fresh coconut. Again, surprisingly, I found I like something that I originally believed I did not.
The second hike was much shorter and led to a water fall where we were able to swim and relax. The water was a perfect temerature for the hot day and we were ever able to jump off the waterfall into the awaiting pool below. It was a refreshing swim and after the short hike back out of the forest, we traveled by boat back to our hotel.
Tuesday morning we woke up early again and set off by boat for and island that was aboout an hour and a half away. After arriving on the island, we loaded up the gear needed to go snorkeling and headed out to sea. The water was very clear and we were able to see all sots of fish and coral reefs from about 15 feet away. When I dove, I was able to get even closer and I saw many colorful and interesting fish. The highlights for me were seeing two schools of fish both containing what I guessed to be hundreds of fish and the BlueJack fish which was blue on its top half with silver sports and silver on the bottom half. The BueJack was about 3 long and according to our guide is a very good fish to eat. While on the island we also ate lunch, explored the coastline, and swam in the water.
On the boat ride back to our hotel, we saw the bird, Brown Boobie, which led us to dolphins since the Brown Boobie usually follows them and their feeding patterns. The dolphins we saw were Silver-Spotted Bottlernosed and our guide believed they were traveling in a pack of 50 or so. We followed in our boats for about 15 minutes and watched as they came up and out of the water for air.
I spent the nights in the Osa playing Hearts, a new card game that I learned and really enjoyed the company of everyone on the trip with me. The last night, Fernando through a small party for us where he made some cocktails and provided some music for dancing.
Wednseday morning, we left at 7:30 am and arrived back in San Jose around 6 pm after another long and adventurous trip through CR.
White Water Rafting (Pacuare River)
Early Saturday morning, we departed San Jose for a white water rafting trip down the Picuare river. The company picked us up in buses for a short drive out of San Jose. We could not have asked for a nicer day to raft. Breakfast was provided when we arrived at the base camp for the rafting. After another 45 minute drive and lots of sunscreen, we were in the water and ready to hit our first rapids.
Our raft lost our first person on the very first class 1 rapid. It was very funny and was a good start to our trip. Though I had been white water rafting before, I had never done class 4 rapids and it was quite the adventure. I fell out of the raft twice. One of the times was particularly painful because I was sucked under the boat and was being knocked back and forth between the raft and the rapids.
After about 2 1/2 hours of rafting, we settled down on the riverbank for a delicious lunch also provided by our guides. Deli wraps, fresh fruit, and dessert were all very delicious. After letting the food settle in our stomach for a while, we loaded up onto the rafts again for the second leg of our trip.
The second part of the trip was shorter and a little less rough in terms of the class of the rapids. We were able to get jump off the boat and swim in the cool water, see waterfalls that fed fresh water from the mountains into the river, and even flip the raft upside down. All these things helped make this rafting trip really incredible. Some of the views while going down the river were truly something I don't think I would be able to see anywhere else!
After the long day of rafting we were transported back to San Jose. After the long day, it was nice to go to bed early and get some sleep. We had a departure time of 6:30 the next day for the Osa Penninsula.
Our raft lost our first person on the very first class 1 rapid. It was very funny and was a good start to our trip. Though I had been white water rafting before, I had never done class 4 rapids and it was quite the adventure. I fell out of the raft twice. One of the times was particularly painful because I was sucked under the boat and was being knocked back and forth between the raft and the rapids.
After about 2 1/2 hours of rafting, we settled down on the riverbank for a delicious lunch also provided by our guides. Deli wraps, fresh fruit, and dessert were all very delicious. After letting the food settle in our stomach for a while, we loaded up onto the rafts again for the second leg of our trip.
The second part of the trip was shorter and a little less rough in terms of the class of the rapids. We were able to get jump off the boat and swim in the cool water, see waterfalls that fed fresh water from the mountains into the river, and even flip the raft upside down. All these things helped make this rafting trip really incredible. Some of the views while going down the river were truly something I don't think I would be able to see anywhere else!
After the long day of rafting we were transported back to San Jose. After the long day, it was nice to go to bed early and get some sleep. We had a departure time of 6:30 the next day for the Osa Penninsula.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Banana post #2
Bananas is an integral fruit on many diets all around the world, though the majority of people do not realize the production process that the fruit goes through. If everyone was truely informed of the banana industry, would their opinion of the fruit change? Through research, I discovered some interesting and unknown facts about the production of bananas all over the world.
Though 123 countries produce bananas, over 63% of all production is accountable to just 10 countries. America and Europe make up the largest market share for the demand of this crop. Like the demand, the ownership of banana production is also concentrated in these areas with big corporations such as Dole, Chiquita, Del Monte, and United Fruit Co. producing all but 13% of bananas. This means that the bananas are different from coffee in that there are very few individual or cooperatives in the banana industry.
Because of this more incorporated way of production, many time there are things that the plantations in places in CR lack or are not sufficient in. Many times, plantations are grown in countries that have less than par labor laws or even a low committment to human rights. In CR, where payment is already scarce, immigrant workers (Nicaraguans) are willing to work for less which decreases job security, and due to the problems stated above, the work conditions are often strenuous and may have other harmful effects, such as the spraying of harmful pesticides and fungicides while workers were in the field or even near their homes.. The type of work conditions on banana plantations found all around the world would not be acceptable in the places where most bananas are actually being sold (U.S. and Europe).
Though unionization and organization by banana plantation workers seems like a feasible answer, attempts have been unsuccessful. The tiny improvements that opotential unions would work for are, to many workers, not worth the chance of being fired or "blacklisted" from employment at other plantations. Due to the lack of a successful organizing of many banana workers, the conditions they work in have not improved, and there seems to be no way around it with the need of a job being so high.
Exports of bananas are continuely growing but the proccessing and packing process of bananas may also be disturbing to consumers. The spraying and gasing of unrippened bananas, in order to make sure they turn from bright green (when picked) to the yellow so many consumers are used too, is done just before the banana is loaded onto ships for delivery to market by sea.
Luckily, like with coffee, bananas are also a Fair Trade product. This means that some bananas are produced using Fair Trade guidlines which include that their production be sustainable. This means no use of pesticides, fungicides, and other dangerous chemicals which benefits workers, citizens of the countries where bananas are produced, and consumers. If the banana industry moved to an all Fair Trade system, the industry would be more efficient and ultimately achieve the goal of sustainable.
Though 123 countries produce bananas, over 63% of all production is accountable to just 10 countries. America and Europe make up the largest market share for the demand of this crop. Like the demand, the ownership of banana production is also concentrated in these areas with big corporations such as Dole, Chiquita, Del Monte, and United Fruit Co. producing all but 13% of bananas. This means that the bananas are different from coffee in that there are very few individual or cooperatives in the banana industry.
Because of this more incorporated way of production, many time there are things that the plantations in places in CR lack or are not sufficient in. Many times, plantations are grown in countries that have less than par labor laws or even a low committment to human rights. In CR, where payment is already scarce, immigrant workers (Nicaraguans) are willing to work for less which decreases job security, and due to the problems stated above, the work conditions are often strenuous and may have other harmful effects, such as the spraying of harmful pesticides and fungicides while workers were in the field or even near their homes.. The type of work conditions on banana plantations found all around the world would not be acceptable in the places where most bananas are actually being sold (U.S. and Europe).
Though unionization and organization by banana plantation workers seems like a feasible answer, attempts have been unsuccessful. The tiny improvements that opotential unions would work for are, to many workers, not worth the chance of being fired or "blacklisted" from employment at other plantations. Due to the lack of a successful organizing of many banana workers, the conditions they work in have not improved, and there seems to be no way around it with the need of a job being so high.
Exports of bananas are continuely growing but the proccessing and packing process of bananas may also be disturbing to consumers. The spraying and gasing of unrippened bananas, in order to make sure they turn from bright green (when picked) to the yellow so many consumers are used too, is done just before the banana is loaded onto ships for delivery to market by sea.
Luckily, like with coffee, bananas are also a Fair Trade product. This means that some bananas are produced using Fair Trade guidlines which include that their production be sustainable. This means no use of pesticides, fungicides, and other dangerous chemicals which benefits workers, citizens of the countries where bananas are produced, and consumers. If the banana industry moved to an all Fair Trade system, the industry would be more efficient and ultimately achieve the goal of sustainable.
More on EcoTourism
A good definition of ecotourism that I found was "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." Those people that participate in ecotourism should follow some general guidlines to ensure that this goal is preserved. Those guidelines include minimizing impact, building awareness and being respectful while providing financial benefits for conservation. The biggest difference between regular tourism and ecotourism seems to be that ecotourism is sustainable and regular tourism struggles to be so.
Ecotourism focuses on local cultures, local wilderness , and learning new ways to live and interact on Earth. Ecotourism usually involves adventures to places where the environment and culture are the main attractions. Successful, sustainable ecotourism includes trips that reduce adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment while also continueing to enhance the cultural ways of local people.
Ecotourism can be broken down into many different sectors. These sectors include and are not limited to, Holiday ecotourism, Academic ecotourism, Adventure ecotourism, and Educational ecotourism. During my stay in CR, I will be practicing Academic, Adventure, and Educational ecotourism.
CR has has an enormous amount of biodiversity which makes it a great country for further developement of ecotourism. Although CR is the most deforested country in Latin America, it also has the most protected land in Latin America. With tourism being one of the largest industries in the world, ecotourism has become an opportunity for developing countries like CR. One of the most important positive impacts that ecotourism has had on CR is that it has brought jobs and infrastructure to places that many believed may never have had the opportunity otherwise.
It is my belief, that because ecotourism is growing so quickly around the world, that soon it will be the job countries like CR to differentiate itself from other countries that offer ecotourism. Just like in any other industry, I feel it will be important for ecotourism in countries to product differentiate itself in order to continue to be sustainable and successful.
Ecotourism focuses on local cultures, local wilderness , and learning new ways to live and interact on Earth. Ecotourism usually involves adventures to places where the environment and culture are the main attractions. Successful, sustainable ecotourism includes trips that reduce adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment while also continueing to enhance the cultural ways of local people.
Ecotourism can be broken down into many different sectors. These sectors include and are not limited to, Holiday ecotourism, Academic ecotourism, Adventure ecotourism, and Educational ecotourism. During my stay in CR, I will be practicing Academic, Adventure, and Educational ecotourism.
CR has has an enormous amount of biodiversity which makes it a great country for further developement of ecotourism. Although CR is the most deforested country in Latin America, it also has the most protected land in Latin America. With tourism being one of the largest industries in the world, ecotourism has become an opportunity for developing countries like CR. One of the most important positive impacts that ecotourism has had on CR is that it has brought jobs and infrastructure to places that many believed may never have had the opportunity otherwise.
It is my belief, that because ecotourism is growing so quickly around the world, that soon it will be the job countries like CR to differentiate itself from other countries that offer ecotourism. Just like in any other industry, I feel it will be important for ecotourism in countries to product differentiate itself in order to continue to be sustainable and successful.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
More on Coffee in CR
For the coffee industry, the development of Fair Trade Coffee resulted in many advances in the lives of small farmers everywhere and the improvement of their treatment. From Fair trade Coffee, producers receive a fair price at which to sell their products, usually a price that supports a living wage. Other benefits included the end of forced and child labor, the improvement of working conditions from both a safety and health prospective.
Overall, Fair Trade benefits small suppliers of coffee the most but is effective for the whole industry in determining a minimum acceptable price. It provided equal work opportunities for all those interested and also put all processes of production and trade in the public eye. Mostly, Fair trade Coffee ended a time in the coffee industry where small scale producers were exploited for the product at prices not high enough to support their way of life.
Today, the Fair Trade System (which includes the coffee industry), employees over 800,000 people and has organized cooperatives and unions in over 48 different countries. The problem today is that there is still coffee being sold outside the Fair Trade system which hurts all the producers of coffee from a price standpoint. In coffee, the end product is marked with the appropriate logo if it is a Fair Trade Coffee product.
By buying and supporting Fair Trade Systems of trade, the rest of the world can help support industries in developing countries that without this system would lack the structure needed for the industry to be successful for the producers.
Overall, Fair Trade benefits small suppliers of coffee the most but is effective for the whole industry in determining a minimum acceptable price. It provided equal work opportunities for all those interested and also put all processes of production and trade in the public eye. Mostly, Fair trade Coffee ended a time in the coffee industry where small scale producers were exploited for the product at prices not high enough to support their way of life.
Today, the Fair Trade System (which includes the coffee industry), employees over 800,000 people and has organized cooperatives and unions in over 48 different countries. The problem today is that there is still coffee being sold outside the Fair Trade system which hurts all the producers of coffee from a price standpoint. In coffee, the end product is marked with the appropriate logo if it is a Fair Trade Coffee product.
By buying and supporting Fair Trade Systems of trade, the rest of the world can help support industries in developing countries that without this system would lack the structure needed for the industry to be successful for the producers.
Pics From Manuel Antonio
From Bottom to Top:
Crocodiles on the trip to Manuel Antonio.
View from our hotel.
Bob, Jon, Morell, Myself, and Evan at Dinner.
Chase and I at dinner.
Stream running through Manuel Antonio National Park.
Pic of me while on our hike through Manuel Antonio National Park.
Off day visit to Manuel Antonio
On Tuesday and Wednesday, May 27th and 28th, all 27 of us boarded the bus for a 5 hour drive to Manuel Antonio. The whole way it rained but we remained optimistic that it was going to be sunny at the beach! Turns out, that CR is in the middle of a tropical storm and can expect more rain to come. Even with the rain, the trip was a lot of fun.
After a 5 hour bus ride that included seeing crocodiles in the river we passed over, we arrived in Manuel Antonio around noon on Tuesday, and I headed straight for the beach. It was my first Pacific Ocean experience. The water was really warm and with the rain, it was an especially amazing experience.I spent about 4 hours on the beach until it was dinner time. We headed for a local restaurant just a little in town from our hotel. It was also happy hour which ended up being a good time. After dinner, we went back to our hotel for a little rest and relaxation.
Wednesday morning I awoke at 7am for breakfast and an 8am nature walk through Manuel Antonio Natural Forest. It was still raining but this walk was well worth it. We saw many good views, monkeys, a forest tree fall just in front of the trail we were walking on, and other creatures that inhabited the rain forest. After the tree fell, The wild life in the forest made many calls and it was amazing to hear all the monkeys call out into the rest of the forest.
Finally, later that afternoon, we headed back to San Jose. I arrived around 8pm exhausted and after dinner was asleep by 10. Overall, I was very pleased to have a short break from studies and San Jose and to have the chance to see another part of CR and experience the Pacific Ocean.
After a 5 hour bus ride that included seeing crocodiles in the river we passed over, we arrived in Manuel Antonio around noon on Tuesday, and I headed straight for the beach. It was my first Pacific Ocean experience. The water was really warm and with the rain, it was an especially amazing experience.I spent about 4 hours on the beach until it was dinner time. We headed for a local restaurant just a little in town from our hotel. It was also happy hour which ended up being a good time. After dinner, we went back to our hotel for a little rest and relaxation.
Wednesday morning I awoke at 7am for breakfast and an 8am nature walk through Manuel Antonio Natural Forest. It was still raining but this walk was well worth it. We saw many good views, monkeys, a forest tree fall just in front of the trail we were walking on, and other creatures that inhabited the rain forest. After the tree fell, The wild life in the forest made many calls and it was amazing to hear all the monkeys call out into the rest of the forest.
Finally, later that afternoon, we headed back to San Jose. I arrived around 8pm exhausted and after dinner was asleep by 10. Overall, I was very pleased to have a short break from studies and San Jose and to have the chance to see another part of CR and experience the Pacific Ocean.
Pics from Arenal, LaFortuna, and Monteverde
From Bottom to Top:
Stephanie, myself, Prof. Platt, and Bob in the 152 degree hot spring.
Arenal Volcano.
Nate and I at the hydroelectric damn.
Horseback riding to Lafortuna Waterfall.
Me and hardened lava from Arenal volcano.
Nate and I in our equipment ready to go zip lining through the jungle.
And though you cant really tell, that is me on the Tarazan swing!!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Arenal, LaFortuna, and Monteverde
We arrived in Arenal on Friday night. The first sightseeing part of our trip was to visit the Baldi hot springs which are naturally heated by the Arenal volcano near by. Here were able to go down water slides, get into pools that where 150 degrees, and have dinner. Almost everyone got into the extremely hot spring, especially compared to other years where the proffessors claimed that barely anyone got in past their knees. I was pretty excited because I was able to go under with my whole body including my head.
The next day, we had breakfast at our hotel and proceeded to a Hydro electric plan. At the ICE plant, we were able to see where they damned the water up as well as the turbines and other parts of the electricity generating process. It was very interesting and something I had never seen before. When leaving the tour we saw a 3 feet iguana which was the pretty much first exotic animal I had seen while in CR so far. The next stop in our day was LaFortuna water fall. After about a 20 min hike down what seemed like a vertical mountain side, we were rewarded with the view of a large water fall that I guessed was at least 10 stories high. we were able to swim in the pool of water that the fall dropped to. The current was very strong and the water was cool and felt amazing after getting hot on the hike down. The worse part about the visit to the waterfall was the walk back up to the bus which was tiring. We then took a hike on the trail of the Arenal Volcano. WE were able to walk over colled lave and saw some amazing views as we hiked higher up the volcano. That night we ate at the Steakhouse restaurant. When we returned to our hotel, the power was out so we lit candles to find our way around. It was actually kind of relaxing not to have power to watch tv or read or anything else. We were also lucky enough that night for it to be clear enough for us to see molten lava running from the top of the volcano.
Sunday morning we had breakfast at the hotel and left by jeep to cross the Arenal Lake which 40 years ago was a city but was destroyed by the volcano and later flooded by damns. While crossing the lake there were many beautiful views of the volcano and the scenery around us. after crossing the lake we boarded more jeeps for the final part of the trip to Monteverde. When we reached Monteverde, it was time to ZipLine. We traveled over 13 lines through the cloud forest , rappeled 50 feet, and Tarzan swung. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever done and hope I get to experience it again. The fact that I was able to travel through the canopy of a Rain Forest still amazes me! After the ZipLining, we traveled to where were staying which was the Monteverde National Park. The night consisted of a walk through the jungle. we were able to see many insects but the highlight of the walk was a couple of from and the Orange Ringed Tarangela.
Monday morning was our travel day, but we woke up at 6am for a morning Bird watch in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Luckily we were able to see many birds including the male and female Quetzal, the most popular bird to try and view in CR. We Arrived back in San Jose around 1pm. We hit up a local flee market to try and find some good stuff for cheap.
Tomorrow we head for Manuel Antonio at 7am. Here, we will be able to enjoy our first beach experience in CR.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Monteverde
This weekend we head to Monteverde. Bathing in natural hot springs, seeing a volcano and waterfalls, horseback riding, ziplining through the jungle, and a tour of a hydro electric plant are all activities on the schedule. I can not wait to finally see some of the beauty that CR is known for. Will have new post when I get back!!
Overview of the Banana Industry in CR
Thought to be a native plant of tropical Asia, the banana (platano, banano) is beleived to be first introduced into the Caribbean and eventually made its way to Central America including Costa Rica sometime after the Spanish invasion. Historically, bananas have played a major role in developing the Carribean and Central America. Many of the countries that grow bananas became know as ¨Banana Republics¨ due to the fact that their economies relied so heavily of the production of bananas for export. In CR, bananas still play a significant role in the success of the economy but is now supplemented with such industries as microchips, ecotourism, coffee and other manufacturing companies. As a whole these industries have allowed CR to find success and improved the way of life for Costa Ricans while also aiding in developement.
Bananas are not considered to be the safest line of work. Due to the very heavy use of pesticides, many workers have become ill in the past. Though working towards improvement of the safety for workers, there is still much that needs to be done in order to move the banana industry towards being more efficient.
The banana industry is mostly dominated by a few large corporations. Dole, Chiquita, Fresh Del Monte, and United Fruit Co. all have a large say in how the industry is run and the practices that are used in growing the bananas. Banana exports have always been high and expanding for CR and seems like that trand will continue with thousands of hectares of bananas being planted every year.
Things I hope to be able to understand after more research and visits to banana plantations include, the process of banana production, the work conditions of banana growers and how they can be improved, whether it is possible for the banana industry to be sustainable considering the high use of pesticides, and finally is the banana industry with the growing demand, able to not hinder the preservation of rainforests in CR and other banana producing countries as plantations will need even more land to plant and harvest.
Bananas are not considered to be the safest line of work. Due to the very heavy use of pesticides, many workers have become ill in the past. Though working towards improvement of the safety for workers, there is still much that needs to be done in order to move the banana industry towards being more efficient.
The banana industry is mostly dominated by a few large corporations. Dole, Chiquita, Fresh Del Monte, and United Fruit Co. all have a large say in how the industry is run and the practices that are used in growing the bananas. Banana exports have always been high and expanding for CR and seems like that trand will continue with thousands of hectares of bananas being planted every year.
Things I hope to be able to understand after more research and visits to banana plantations include, the process of banana production, the work conditions of banana growers and how they can be improved, whether it is possible for the banana industry to be sustainable considering the high use of pesticides, and finally is the banana industry with the growing demand, able to not hinder the preservation of rainforests in CR and other banana producing countries as plantations will need even more land to plant and harvest.
Overview of EcoTourism in CR
Ecotourism is growing at an extreme rate all around the world. This growing demand has opened doors for places like CR which possess such beauty throughout the country and an ability to satisfy the demand from tourist of foriegn countries. Though economically, ecotourism is very prosperous, the biggest questions the industy faces revolve around sustainability. The greatest benefit that ecotourism provides is the chance to preserve the natural beauty and natural resources in countries like CR while also providing profit for an economy to build off of. Lately, some ecologists believe that because of such high damand for ecotourism resulting in construction and overuse of the areas attracting the tourists, ecotourism may be on a path of self destruction.
In CR, the incredible biodiversity that the small country is blessed with has resulted in the ecotourism industry becoming the building block for developing the country even further. Ecotourism in CR, second behind only INTEL´s chip production, provides the second highest amount of income. There are many reason why this industry flourishes. Biodiversity, pivotal location, a strong understanding by the Costa Rican government of the importance of preserving it´s natural surroundings, and support from abroad, have all made ecotourism a successful and attractive industry for Costa Rica.
Ecotourism has both benefits and costs. Benefits include, being an alternative to environmentally damaging industries and encouraging conservation efforts. The Costs of ecotourism include, overuse of the environment from an amount of tourist view, greenwashing, and the threat of profit coming before preservation.
In CR, it seems that ecotourism has become a major reason for the countries success. It has helped in conservation, slowed or even stopped deforeststation in certain countries, and has also brought jobs and income to rural areas which in the past had lacked a stable industry to latch on to. As ecotourism moves into the future, I beleive it will be important for close regulations to be imposed or recomended to ensure that the conservation of CR comes before the profit.
In CR, the incredible biodiversity that the small country is blessed with has resulted in the ecotourism industry becoming the building block for developing the country even further. Ecotourism in CR, second behind only INTEL´s chip production, provides the second highest amount of income. There are many reason why this industry flourishes. Biodiversity, pivotal location, a strong understanding by the Costa Rican government of the importance of preserving it´s natural surroundings, and support from abroad, have all made ecotourism a successful and attractive industry for Costa Rica.
Ecotourism has both benefits and costs. Benefits include, being an alternative to environmentally damaging industries and encouraging conservation efforts. The Costs of ecotourism include, overuse of the environment from an amount of tourist view, greenwashing, and the threat of profit coming before preservation.
In CR, it seems that ecotourism has become a major reason for the countries success. It has helped in conservation, slowed or even stopped deforeststation in certain countries, and has also brought jobs and income to rural areas which in the past had lacked a stable industry to latch on to. As ecotourism moves into the future, I beleive it will be important for close regulations to be imposed or recomended to ensure that the conservation of CR comes before the profit.
Visit to Cafe Britt
On Thursday, we took a visit to Cafe Britt. Cafe Britt is a corporation based in CR that handles all levels of the production process of coffee. Considered a gourmet brand of coffee, Cafe Britt produces both non-organic and organic coffee with their product reaching stores all over the world. The visit included a very informative presentation of how coffee beans or "cherries" are harvested and processed (dried, roasted, and bagged), how to make coffee correctly, and a great buffet lunch.
Some new interesting facts that I picked up while Cafe Britt inlcude, 80 lbs. of pick coffee fruit result in just 3.5 lbs. of ground coffee to be sold. Coffee plants take at least one year of careful nurturing before it is ready to be placed in the field. After a plant makes it to the field, its will produce ¨cherries¨ for approxiamately 40 years. The decafination process can be performed many ways, but Cafe Britt believes that Germany is the best. To decafinate coffee it is soaked in hot water and steam before being roasted. Though I am not completely sure of the steps it takes to decafinate coffee, I do know that it results in 99.9% of caffiene being extracted. This extracted caffiene is then sold to companies such as Coke and Pepsi where they use the caffiene in their products. The last intersesting fact that I learned while at Cafe Britt, is that the coffee in CR got started through what I consider a government program. After recieving Indepence from Spain, the new Costa Rican government was willing to give land and resources to people willing to begin farming coffee. This government encouragement is what led to coffee being such a big player in the Costa Rican economy.
Cafe Britt also was very educational in how to brew and serve a perfect cup of coffee. In brewing, Cafe Britt always recomended brown filters because white filters contain chlorine which can distort the real flavor of the bean. Spring water is also recomended for the same reason of keeping chemicals found in tap water from affecting the taste. While a glass of coffee has a lifespan of 20 minutes, Cafe Britt also said never to reheat coffee or to use grounds more than once. Reheating and reusing results in loss of flavors from the original oils of the coffee bean. In regards to tasting, Cafe Britt said there is a correct way to test the taste of your coffee. This process included testing the aroma, the weight of your coffee grounds, and the way you actually drink coffee. All these little recomendations should result according to Cafe Britt in the perfect cup of coffee where the drinker is totally satisfied.
In comparison to Del Cafe Tal coffee, I found that Cafe Britt´s product did not taste as good. Lunch was provided and was delicious. Seeing Cafe Britt really allowed me to understand coffee production and its benefits and restrictions as far as sustainability. Examining the difference between organic and nonorganic and a small private coffee plantation and a large corporate coffee plantation really helped in my understanding of what is needed for the coffee industry to move forward in CR.
Some new interesting facts that I picked up while Cafe Britt inlcude, 80 lbs. of pick coffee fruit result in just 3.5 lbs. of ground coffee to be sold. Coffee plants take at least one year of careful nurturing before it is ready to be placed in the field. After a plant makes it to the field, its will produce ¨cherries¨ for approxiamately 40 years. The decafination process can be performed many ways, but Cafe Britt believes that Germany is the best. To decafinate coffee it is soaked in hot water and steam before being roasted. Though I am not completely sure of the steps it takes to decafinate coffee, I do know that it results in 99.9% of caffiene being extracted. This extracted caffiene is then sold to companies such as Coke and Pepsi where they use the caffiene in their products. The last intersesting fact that I learned while at Cafe Britt, is that the coffee in CR got started through what I consider a government program. After recieving Indepence from Spain, the new Costa Rican government was willing to give land and resources to people willing to begin farming coffee. This government encouragement is what led to coffee being such a big player in the Costa Rican economy.
Cafe Britt also was very educational in how to brew and serve a perfect cup of coffee. In brewing, Cafe Britt always recomended brown filters because white filters contain chlorine which can distort the real flavor of the bean. Spring water is also recomended for the same reason of keeping chemicals found in tap water from affecting the taste. While a glass of coffee has a lifespan of 20 minutes, Cafe Britt also said never to reheat coffee or to use grounds more than once. Reheating and reusing results in loss of flavors from the original oils of the coffee bean. In regards to tasting, Cafe Britt said there is a correct way to test the taste of your coffee. This process included testing the aroma, the weight of your coffee grounds, and the way you actually drink coffee. All these little recomendations should result according to Cafe Britt in the perfect cup of coffee where the drinker is totally satisfied.
In comparison to Del Cafe Tal coffee, I found that Cafe Britt´s product did not taste as good. Lunch was provided and was delicious. Seeing Cafe Britt really allowed me to understand coffee production and its benefits and restrictions as far as sustainability. Examining the difference between organic and nonorganic and a small private coffee plantation and a large corporate coffee plantation really helped in my understanding of what is needed for the coffee industry to move forward in CR.
Pics of Host Family and Roomate
Bottom to Top:
Viviana (my host mom), Edgar, and myself.
Viviana, Nate (my roomate) and myself.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Still to come...
I hope to have new posts concerning my trip to Cafe Britt´s plantation, as well as posts concerning a light overview of both the tourism and banana industry in CR.
Pics from Cafe Britt
From Bottom to top:
View from Cafe Britt´s plantation.
Young coffee plants being nurtured until ready for the field.
Coffee Roaster of Cafe Britt.
Finished product ready for exportation to Miami.
Pics from Del Cafe Tal
From bottom to top:
A view from Del Cafe Tal coffee plantation.
A field of coffee plants.
Coffee fruit with bean inside.
Leftover coffee beans in the sun drying bins.
Myself with Del Cafe Tal´s Coffee Roaster.
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