Tourism sector unites in fight against climatic change

Taken from: www.larepublica.net

Being conscious that the main commodity in Costa Rica is its nature, diverse sectors of the tourism industry have implemented their own regulations to diminish global warming, in agreement with the National Strategy of Climatic Change (ENCC). These measures that have been adopted have to do with the maximization of resources and the reduction on the production carbon that is created by human activities.

In this direction, the National Chamber of Tourism, the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism and other companies have developed a plan of action.

The proposals have to do with the renewable energy sources use and the sensitizing of suppliers, employees and tourists about the importance to be "ecosensitive".

"Little by little, the tourists will prefer those businesses that are known to be ecosensitive", explained Patricia Forero, director of Investigation and Development of Horizontes Tour Operator.

In this case, the business was in charge of measuring the quantity of its carbon dioxide emissions, and then to compensate this they planted trees alongside the City Hall of San José.

Besides, a campaign was developed to raise consciousness toward the employees, directed to the energy saving and the consequences of the global warming.

Un ejemplo de utilización máxima de recursos es Mapache Rent-a-Car. Actualmente la arrendadora de autos tiene en marcha un plan de reutilización del agua. “Tomamos el agua jabonosa del lavado de los carros, y la purificamos de manera que vuelva a ser usada. Así no contaminamos más agua limpia”, comentó Alfredo Cruz, asistente de gerencia de la empresa.

The increase in temperature may be of 4.4 degrees Celsius in 2100, being carbon dioxide the main cause of this temperature raise, according to the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Climatic Change. The levels of this gas in the atmosphere have enlarged a whopping 80% from 1970 to the present.

An example of maximum utilization of resources is Mapache Rent-a-Car. At present the company has in motion plans to recycle water that’s been used by them. "We take the soapy water of the cars we wash, and we purify it so that it may be used again. Thus we won’t be contaminating more clean water", commented Alfredo Cruz, assistant manager of the business.