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Costa Rica

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Inspired by Costa Rica

Over the past two weeks, the class created art inspired by the natural beauty, and diverse nature in Costa Rica. Between its Pacific and Caribbean coasts, Costa Rica houses an incredible 5% of Earth's biodiversity. It is estimated that 500,000 plus species call this place home, including hundreds of mammals, birds, and reptiles. It sits right where North and South America meet, creating a natural mixing pot for species from both continents. Add in the country's mountains, valleys, and different climate zones, and you've got perfect conditions for all kinds of creatures to thrive. In the Osa Peninsula, some of Central America's last old-growth rainforest still stands, filled with jaguars, tapirs, and four different species of monkeys.

While other countries were cutting down their forests in the 1980s and 90s, Costa Rica doubled down on conservation. Today, more than a quarter of the country is protected land. They've even managed to reverse their deforestation - forest cover has bounced back from 21% to over 50% in recent decades. Costa Rica runs entirely on renewable power. Rivers provide hydroelectric energy, volcanoes supply geothermal power, and wind farms catch Caribbean breezes. Costa Rica keeps pushing forward with its green mission. They've banned single-use plastics, set ambitious climate goals, and made environmental protection part of their constitution. This small country has created a model for the rest of the world.