Small Country With Big Ideas (TED Talks Video)

The following video mainly concerns how Costa Rica is intent on eliminating fossil fuels. It is another example how even a relatively unknown country can set a great example for the United States to follow.

Before getting into the video here's a few facts one might wish to educate themselves about Costa Rica.


* According ti Wikipedia while the U.S. is alarmed about immigrants currently their population is made up of about 10% of these peaceful individuals. It's been a democracy since 1948 and is one of the region's most stable.

* In 2015 it's government budget deficit was equal to 5.60 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product Here in the United States ours was around 3.3%. Not too far different from our own. This is striking because even though Costa Rica offers free healthcare and education it hasn't broken the bank

* Costa Rica is a hotspot for retiring Americans. "The biggest draw, perhaps, is the quality of life Costa Rica offers for much less than one would spend in the United States... One of the biggest advantages for immigrant retirees with legal residency is the access to high-quality, government healthcare, Caja (Costarricense de Seguro Social), ranked number one in Latin America and in the top 20 worldwide."

* According to this 2013 source, "Americans who obtain residency status which you can do by proving you have at least $1,000 in monthly income from Social Security, a pension or retirement fund can enroll in Costa Rica’s public health-care system, where you pay a small monthly stipend based on your income "
I'm not making claims Costa Rica is a paradise. No nation is. Rather it should serve as another example of what the United States can learn from our neighbors. Then apply those things we ourselves may benefit from to make this a better nation.


Climate Advocate Monica Araya