Peace with Nature in Costa Rica

In the 1980s, Costa Rica stood on the brink of ecological collapse. Its forests were rapidly disappearing, its biodiversity under threat, and its future seemed destined to follow the all-too-familiar path: a nation stripped of its natural wealth, exploited for short-term gain, and left with little lasting benefit for its people. But this is not that story. Instead, Costa Rica charted a different course. Over the past few decades, it has reversed deforestation, safeguarded its rich biodiversity, and committed to becoming a carbon-neutral economy—all while creating jobs and improving the well-being of its citizens. This is the story of how Costa Rica defied the odds and became a global model for sustainable development.