Sustainability, this is the key to attain good social and environmental conditions for this special piece of earth named Costa Rica.
We are making a lot of money off of the coastal lands. This, in itself, is very good but as we all know, there are two basic ways in which human beings do things, the right way and the wrong way.
In spite of all the warnings that nature has given us about the inadequate methods, the priority for many builders is the optimization of the spaces to be developed. This means: the larger the amount of construction, the larger the number of customers, which therefore leads to higher levels of profit.
Economic analysis does not take into consideration the dues that nature exerts on the over exploitation of land which already has a specific function such as, for example, the purification of water accomplished by the wetlands of the mangroves. The forests in these areas are not ornamental, nor is it their function to merely feed some animals.
In fact, they are giant rain water filers to the aquifer mantle, producers of oxygen and eliminators of CO2 and they are also valuable regulators of temperature-that is, natural coolers.As such, their relevancy goes far beyond than a simple conservationist romanticism. Some ignore or want to ignore the preceding points.Thus, they need exists to regulate the subject of coastal construction with a higher degree of professionalism.
It being a fairly extreme climate and topography in comparison with locations in the central plains, the repercussions can be felt here more rapidly than in areas with further away from the ocean and milder temperatures. In other parts of the planet real estate is sold as a sum of luxury items with no serious appreciation for the creation of a healthy environment.
Building one or several luxury residences slicing mountains or elevating the terrain must be scrutinized not just through the principals of legality but also by common sense and the ethics that must contemplate the consequences for future generations. The reality is that these areas can be sustainable developed maintaining the success and even increasing it. To start now a "greener" development will solve a good portion of the problems caused until now by our lack of awareness or by our unwillingness.
There are several technical options today for a better balanced development, created as a result of research in the different fields. These guidelines are being included in other places with marvelous results both in terms of the environment and also in the positive response of the potential clients.
The incorporation of truly sustainable development criteria must be sponsored by all the businesses.The past is not as important as what we will do from now on. Its never too late to start "thinking greener".
Business tends to react quickly to market demands. And this is already happening. Consumers are more and more interested in sustainability. Today, we have work examples on new proposals and solutions, including everybody's interests and including the public opinion as a motor of changes. If we develop with criterion, equity and transparency, we will be able to guaranty the well-being of everybody and everything.
Ecotourism and Nature 
