Breaking a Biogeographical Barrier: Mosquito Establishment in Iceland as a Key Climate Indicator
A biological event of great magnitude has been confirmed by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History (IINH): the establishment of the first known breeding population of mosquitoes (Culex sp.) in Iceland. This finding is scientifically significant as Iceland has long been a biogeographical case study as one of the only countries in the world without […]
When Cities Breathe: Satellite-Derived Carbon Footprint of 54 Global Metropolises (and What It Means for Costa Rica)
Cities are epicenters of humanity’s energy use, transportation, industry, and consumption—and thus they are major sources of carbon dioxide emissions. Understanding the carbon footprint of urban areas is crucial not only for climate accounting, but also for guiding mitigation strategies at the scale where people live and act. However, estimating the emissions of cities is […]
Brazil Launches the “Tropical Forest Forever Facility”: The $125 Billion Plan to Save the World’s Forests?
For decades, the global strategy to save tropical forests has operated on a familiar, flawed model: a mix of international aid, philanthropic donations, and small-scale carbon credit projects. It has been a story of good intentions perpetually outgunned by the colossal economic forces driving deforestation. The funding, while welcome, has been a fraction of what […]
Costa Rica’s New Master Plan: How the Next Biodiversity Strategy Will Define the Future of Our Species
The country is updating its action plan to align with global 2030 goals. We analyze what this means for the jaguar, the tapir, and our coral reefs. In the 1990s, Costa Rica astonished the world. It became the first tropical nation to reverse deforestation, a visionary success built on a master plan of creating National […]
A Breath of Fresh Air for the Planet and Its Species: Renewables Overtake Coal as the World’s Top Electricity Source
One of the most important pieces of news for the future of our planet has just been announced: for the first time in history, renewable energy has become the world’s leading source of electricity, surpassing coal, the most polluting fossil fuel. This milestone, confirmed by the International Energy Agency (IEA), marks a turning point in […]
Latin America’s Plastic Paradox: Moderate Generation, Severe Mismanagement
Introduction Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the defining environmental crises of the 21st century. While Asia often draws global attention due to massive production and leakage, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) presents a different but equally troubling paradox. The region does not generate the highest volumes of plastic waste per capita compared […]
Panorama of Biodiversity: New Discoveries Amid Growing Threats
The story of life on Earth today is one of striking contrasts. On the one hand, scientists are uncovering hundreds of new species every year, revealing the extraordinary richness that still remains hidden in our forests, oceans, and mountains. On the other hand, climate change, deforestation, pollution, and other human pressures are pushing ecosystems closer […]
Ocean Acidification: Rising CO₂ Threatens Shellfish, Corals, and Ecosystem Stability
While global warming often dominates climate headlines, another crisis is silently unfolding beneath the waves: ocean acidification (OA). Driven by the relentless absorption of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, the world’s oceans are becoming more acidic at a rate unprecedented in human history. Recent studies led by NOAA, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and Oregon […]
Between the Asphalt and the Ocean: The Survival Struggle of Costa Rica’s Iconic Wildlife
Costa Rica has masterfully cultivated a global reputation as a biodiversity sanctuary, a verdant paradise where nature reigns supreme. Yet, beneath this green veneer, a harsh reality is unfolding for some of its most emblematic species. From the deep blue of its oceans to the misty cloud forests, a battle for survival is being waged, […]
Free Admission to National Parks this Sunday, August 24: An Opportunity to Discover Costa Rica’s Biodiversity
This Sunday, August 24, Costa Rica will open the doors of its 29 National Parks and more than 150 protected wildlife areas with free admission for all visitors. The initiative celebrates National Parks Day, established in 1986 under Decree No. 16847-MAG-MEP, with the purpose of encouraging the population to recognize the value of their natural […]