In Glodin’s Ted talk, “the collapse biodiversity” is
one of the negative consequences brought about by rapid globalization. I think
that the collapse of biodiversity is a very devastating problem of mankind. If
it is not properly addressed, the effects would be irreversible and would soon
affect generations to come. Globalization led to the evolution of ecotourism in
many developing countries, and ecotourism has become one of the fastest-growing
industries. The countries view ecotourism as a viable method to “protect the natural environment” while
generating “social and economic benefits” for the country. (Buchsbaum,
2004) According to The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) the definition
of ecotourism is as such, “Ecotourism is: "Responsible
travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the
well-being of local people." Even though developing countries such as
Costa Rica tries its best to strike a balance between both development and conservation goals, it
is hard to deny that in recent years, lucrative profits generated by ecotourism
may caused environmental protection to be secondary. As such, problems caused
by globalization such as loss of diversity and environmental degradation may be
worsened by expansion and focus on ecotourism as Costa Rica’s key development
industry.
Ecotourism in Costa Rica, which begun since the 1970’s has been really successful mainly due the country’s strategic location and many favorable factors. Abundant sites of nature situation on the country such as beaches, caves, volcanoes, mountains, mangroves and tropical rainforests as well as hundreds of species of plants and animals are reasons for the thrive of ecotourism. Although Conservation efforts can be witnessed, the quest of higher levels of profits have allowed their ecotourism industry to become ecologically damaging.
Costa Rica is known for being one of the top nations for conservation of wildlife and nature, propagated by the growth of ecotourism. Ecotourism drives the expansion of many conservation initiatives, such as the creation of Costa Rica's National Park Service in 1970. (Weaver, 1998, 87). Economic revenue generated from this industry was also diverted back to environment conservation. Tourists not only immerse themselves in numerous adventures and activities during their visitation of national parks and biological reserves, they will also return educated and inspired about conservation due to informed tour guides and educational pamphlets. (1998, 24) Ecotourism also prevented nature to be a victim of “farming, logging or mining industries”. (Egan, 2001) However, the attainment of high levels of profits and poor regulations led to loss of biodiversity and environment degradation. Problems include visitor overcapacity, green washing and over-reliance on international donors. During peak periods, one of Costa Rica's most popular parks, Manuel Antonio, takes in an average of 1,000 visitors a day. (Weaver, 1998, 95) Furthermore, profits involved makes it hard for authorities and park-keepers to turn paying-tourists who came to see rare species of animals and plants away. Such unregulated access and flow of tourists to even the most fragile parts of the forest has placed great damage on the entire ecology. The problem of greenwashing arises when profit-motivated companies engaging in the marketing scheme of attaching a "green" label to travel services that do not technically classify as ecotourism. (Egan, 2001) This is severe as it goes against Costa Rica’s environmental reputation, and under this façade, companies will continue activities that contributes to environmental degradation. Lastly, being reliant on international donors who do not have a well understanding of Costa Rica’s ecosystem or are profit-driven for funds may be adverse for the environment. As their motivations maybe in conflict with the governments’ causing a destabilizing of the government’s “conservation efforts and lead to a lack of coordination in carrying out environmental policy”. (Weaver, 1998, 96-97) In the short-term, authorizes and the government may be attracted by the profits and may not take notice of adverse effects of the problems above. However, in the long run it will be devastating. Without proper regulation and steps taken to reduce the problems above, environment and biodiversity exploited for economic revenue will face irreversible damage, despite the conservation efforts.
The first solution to the problems would be for the government and authorities to impose stricter regulations and rules. With proper enforcement of regulations, the negative effects on biodiversity and the environment will be greatly eliminated. Stricter regulations will also prevent unlawful and false marketing practices of ecotourism and the relevant products. Rules and regulations should also be imposed on tourists in the form of proper signage and proper crowd control measures, together with better education they will be more aware of their surroundings and the importance of conservation of wildlife. Fines or punishments should be imposed on those who do not adhere.
Secondly, government should also “Integrat(e) tourism into planning” and also increase communication with stakeholders and the public. (Blamey, 2001) Through a “strategic planning framework” and adopting “environmental impact assessments” In this light, the viability of tourism in the long run can be ensured. Furthermore, communication with international invertors and stakeholders can “resolve potential conflicts of interest”.
Ecotourism in Costa Rica, which begun since the 1970’s has been really successful mainly due the country’s strategic location and many favorable factors. Abundant sites of nature situation on the country such as beaches, caves, volcanoes, mountains, mangroves and tropical rainforests as well as hundreds of species of plants and animals are reasons for the thrive of ecotourism. Although Conservation efforts can be witnessed, the quest of higher levels of profits have allowed their ecotourism industry to become ecologically damaging.
Costa Rica is known for being one of the top nations for conservation of wildlife and nature, propagated by the growth of ecotourism. Ecotourism drives the expansion of many conservation initiatives, such as the creation of Costa Rica's National Park Service in 1970. (Weaver, 1998, 87). Economic revenue generated from this industry was also diverted back to environment conservation. Tourists not only immerse themselves in numerous adventures and activities during their visitation of national parks and biological reserves, they will also return educated and inspired about conservation due to informed tour guides and educational pamphlets. (1998, 24) Ecotourism also prevented nature to be a victim of “farming, logging or mining industries”. (Egan, 2001) However, the attainment of high levels of profits and poor regulations led to loss of biodiversity and environment degradation. Problems include visitor overcapacity, green washing and over-reliance on international donors. During peak periods, one of Costa Rica's most popular parks, Manuel Antonio, takes in an average of 1,000 visitors a day. (Weaver, 1998, 95) Furthermore, profits involved makes it hard for authorities and park-keepers to turn paying-tourists who came to see rare species of animals and plants away. Such unregulated access and flow of tourists to even the most fragile parts of the forest has placed great damage on the entire ecology. The problem of greenwashing arises when profit-motivated companies engaging in the marketing scheme of attaching a "green" label to travel services that do not technically classify as ecotourism. (Egan, 2001) This is severe as it goes against Costa Rica’s environmental reputation, and under this façade, companies will continue activities that contributes to environmental degradation. Lastly, being reliant on international donors who do not have a well understanding of Costa Rica’s ecosystem or are profit-driven for funds may be adverse for the environment. As their motivations maybe in conflict with the governments’ causing a destabilizing of the government’s “conservation efforts and lead to a lack of coordination in carrying out environmental policy”. (Weaver, 1998, 96-97) In the short-term, authorizes and the government may be attracted by the profits and may not take notice of adverse effects of the problems above. However, in the long run it will be devastating. Without proper regulation and steps taken to reduce the problems above, environment and biodiversity exploited for economic revenue will face irreversible damage, despite the conservation efforts.
The first solution to the problems would be for the government and authorities to impose stricter regulations and rules. With proper enforcement of regulations, the negative effects on biodiversity and the environment will be greatly eliminated. Stricter regulations will also prevent unlawful and false marketing practices of ecotourism and the relevant products. Rules and regulations should also be imposed on tourists in the form of proper signage and proper crowd control measures, together with better education they will be more aware of their surroundings and the importance of conservation of wildlife. Fines or punishments should be imposed on those who do not adhere.
Secondly, government should also “Integrat(e) tourism into planning” and also increase communication with stakeholders and the public. (Blamey, 2001) Through a “strategic planning framework” and adopting “environmental impact assessments” In this light, the viability of tourism in the long run can be ensured. Furthermore, communication with international invertors and stakeholders can “resolve potential conflicts of interest”.
Lastly, the solution to sustainable ecotourism
should be government being willing to “place environmental conservation ahead
of economic profit”. Even though it may affect revenue generated in the
short-run, but “degradation of the natural environment” will cause reduction in
visitors as the once beautiful and delicate destination has been destroyed and
“the natural environment on which ecotourism depends will be less attractive”
(Wearing, 2001).
I feel that the last solution is the most viable
and it is the only option that will preserve wildlife and environment in Costa
Rica. As mentioned by Wall, “Ecotourism is an opportunity to preserve
ecosystems and biological diversity that would otherwise be lost.” And it
should not be use to exploit the environment for economic benefits.
References:
1)http://www1.american.edu/ted/costa-rica-tourism.htm
2)http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05052004-171907/unrestricted/EcotourismCostRica.pdf
3)http://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1244&context=ijgls&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fscholar.google.com%2Fscholar_url%3Fhl%3Den%26q%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.repository.law.indiana.edu%2Fcgi%2Fviewcontent.cgi%253Farticle%253D1244%2526context%253Dijgls%26sa%3DX%26scisig%3DAAGBfm2hL_lFDYMgR8TPTm2O3FzqlVqWmg%26oi%3Dscholarr#search=%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.repository.law.indiana.edu%2Fcgi%2Fviewcontent.cgi%3Farticle%3D1244%26context%3Dijgls%22
1)http://www1.american.edu/ted/costa-rica-tourism.htm
2)http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05052004-171907/unrestricted/EcotourismCostRica.pdf
3)http://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1244&context=ijgls&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fscholar.google.com%2Fscholar_url%3Fhl%3Den%26q%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.repository.law.indiana.edu%2Fcgi%2Fviewcontent.cgi%253Farticle%253D1244%2526context%253Dijgls%26sa%3DX%26scisig%3DAAGBfm2hL_lFDYMgR8TPTm2O3FzqlVqWmg%26oi%3Dscholarr#search=%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.repository.law.indiana.edu%2Fcgi%2Fviewcontent.cgi%3Farticle%3D1244%26context%3Dijgls%22
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