Costa Rica will be seat of the new program “SAVE MY PLANET” broadcasted in the new television network LIVE WELL HD from ABC in the United States
Sustainable tourism experts explore Costa Rica looking for sustainable practices that can be easily implemented in the rest of the world.

The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT, in Spanish) announced the strategic alliance with ABC, where Costa Rica is the host of Save my Planet. “Save my Planet” is a TV show of the Live Well network from ABC in the United States. The first season of the show consists of 13 episodes filmed in Costa Rica. Save my Planet started its premiere on January 11, 2010. The show is focused on sustainability issues. Its host, Stephen Brooks, explores the practices of sustainability that have done Costa Rica a leader on these environmental initiatives.
The first season of “Save my Planet” is focused on sustainability projects in Costa Rica that have been implemented by hotels and tour operators who have the Tourist Sustainability Certification (CST, in Spanish). “We are very excited to share our achievements, our practices with the spectators of these high quality programs such as “Save my Planet”, said María Amalia Revelo, sub-manager and merchandise director of the ICT. “Today it is essential to share the best practices and create accessible initiatives to the rest of the people to start developing a new world platform for the models of sustainable business”.
The host, Stephen Brooks, grew in Miami and chose Costa Rica as its home in 1955, in Punta Mona. He is not only a passionate of the sustainability politics, but he has demonstrated his vision through his actions. In 1997, Brooks founded Punta Mona Center for Sustainability and Education, allowing those who visit the opportunity to learn about the role and the origin of the food of our daily lives.
In this epoch, it is necessary to be conscious of the natural environment, in order to be sustainable one can go further to the norms, like buying locally, prefer organic products and participate in recycling programs,” said Brooks.
These practices should be a lifestyle in which people believe in it and live it daily. These principles form part of the philosophy and the Costa Rican society and this is what its people show through the preservation of their culture and their environment.
As the “Save my Planet” host, Brooks highlight some of the most successful Costa Rican efforts, and other projects around the world. The most important is that the viewers can watch some of the astounding characteristics of Costa Rica, such as the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. This reserve is one of the most distinguish wildlife sanctuaries on Earth which protects more than 400 species of birds and demonstrate the long lasting effects of preserving the local communities, land and species.

During this season of the show, the viewers could benefit the production and renewable energy use and a visit to the Arenal Dam and the operation center where the hydroelectric energy of Costa Rica is produced. Up to now, Costa Rica produced 93% of its energy from renewable resources including hydroelectric, geothermic and Aeolian energy.
“Save my Planet” was developed by AnswersMedia, A Chicago enterprise specialized in the television transmission and interactive production, in coordination with the public relations of the ICT in the United States and Canada.
Costa Rica was chosen as the host country for the premiere of the series Save my Planet, because of its successful implementation of sustainable projects all over the country,” said Matthew Palm, AnswerMedia Executive Producer. “The impressive natural beauty added to its history of culture conservation and environment make this country a perfect place to to shoot spectacular scenes that illustrate its big effort and dedication to sustainability, added Palm.
Costa Rica demonstrated for the first time concrete protected measurement efforts for the environment in 1977 when it was declared that 25% of the territory will be protected. A measure hasn’t been taken by any country then. Today, this zone has increased up to 26% and includes 29 National Parks, some wildlife zones, natural reserves and protected marine zones.
Even more important, the country has been capable to construct a tourist industry, keeping its position as one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth. Programs with the Tourist Sustainability Certification (CST, in Spanish) assured that the modern development of the country doesn’t erase the heritage while it is offered to the visitors the opportunity to experiment some of the mayor treasures in the world.
Save My Planet is transmitted in San Francisco, Fresno, Los Angeles, Houston, New York, Philadelphia, Toledo, Flint and Raleigh. Visit www.livewelhd.com to watch the show online.