LEARNING TO LIVE GREEN IN COSTA RICA

By Tyler J. Colbourne, Ecotourism Discipline NSCC Akerley Student January 23rd, 2007

We all want to live healthier lives. We all hope to save the planet. We all wish that there were a perfect way to drive our large gasoline dependant automobiles, eat at the greasiest fast-food restaurants, shop at large chain stores, and still be the greenest citizen in Nova Scotia. The unfortunate truth is we cannot have all of those things and still expect to leave a planet that has not been overly spoiled by our actions. Those of us who simply want, hope, and wish to do something better without the conviction to do it can want, hope, and wish for a world where none of us exist. It is not a crime for us to do the things we are used to and have the desire to do something better. Most of us just do not possess the knowledge to act in a more environmentally friendly way. How can we merge the things we need and want with the things that will help us to lead healthier more sustainable lives? By taking action and initiative to learn and to do something better we can change the earth and ourselves in a positive way. One way that I managed to merge my passion for traveling and experiencing other cultures with being more environmentally friendly and learning was to take part in an educational exchange that took me to Costa Rica. The exchange allowed me to learn more about conservation, Ecotourism, and becoming a more responsible world citizen. I am by no means the greenest citizen of Nova Scotia, but I now know more about making the right choices in my everyday life.

How does this help everyone else in Nova Scotia that would like to become more environmentally friendly? Good news, the exchange is happening again this year and will be sending twelve students from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to Costa Rica to take action and learn more about being environmentally friendly. For two months participants live and work in small Costa Rican villages learning skills necessary to being productive and responsible members of the world. Participants learn about conservation directly by working with small organizations to help build up the local area. Ecotourism, group dynamic skills, and leadership skills are also a big aspect of this exchange. Upon developing these skills the hope is that participants can take their knowledge from the program and apply it to their own lives and take initiative in transferring their knowledge into their own community. The exchange also has a second phase that takes place in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in the participant’s hometowns. This is a second opportunity for participants to learn more about conservation with a greater emphasis put on your own country and province.

So how does one get involved with such a program? The Environmental Leadership Program through the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps will be running in the summer of 2006 out of the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labor. Applicants must be permanent residents of Nova Scotia, aged between 19 and 25, 25 and interested in developing skills in environmental management and improving their leadership skills through an international cross cultural program. Applicants must also be fairly healthy due to the fact that much of the work is outdoors and requires some labor. For more information, http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/youth/youth-opportunities.asp#ELP-CostaRica, is a great place to start. Applications must be received by February 1st, 2007 to be considered. With that said, the opportunity to learn more about being environmentally friendly, to travel, and have an experience of a lifetime are there. All it takes is a little initiative and determination.
- Tyler J. Colbourne.