I have been reading the interesting new book by Thomas Friedman entitled, Hot, Flat and Crowded. The premise of the book is that the world is becoming over-heated, over-globalized and over-crowded.  He states that what is needed is a green revolution, or what he terms as “Code Green.”  Living in Costa Rica I feel that I am at the center of a green revolution that seems to be spreading.  People seem to be taking more of an interest in Code Green and the book by Friedman reflects that.  Costa Rica has been fighting to stay green for many years.  It has done a respectable job and stands as a model for others.  In my opinion what Code Green requires is a dramatic shift in the way we think about ourselves and what our responsibility is as citizens of the planet earth.  Listening to Barack Obama’s inaugural address I could not help to notice the repeated use of the term “America” to describe the U.S.  But the U.S. is not “America.” America actually consists of two continents and an isthmus connecting them. It may come as quite a shock to folks in Central or South America to learn that “America” is comprised exclusively of the fifty U.S. states to their north.  You see in this idea of America being “just us” the problem is found.  At the root of many of the problems we face today, the problems of being hot, flat and crowded, is this idea that we as citizens of the U.S. have the right to consume at a rate that is unsustainable on a global level.  The so-called “American” dream is based on the idea of this right to unbridled consumption (what I will call the “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality).  This unsustainable level of consumption has given rise to severe economic problems that the U.S. is currently experiencing.  It also is giving rise to severe environmental problems that threaten us all.  Now we have other countries trying to catch up.  Consider China and India. They believe they too have the right to U.S. consumption-ism.  The problem is that our planet just can’t sustain it.  We have to begin to look at ourselves as citizens of the planet earth with a responsibility to future generations across the globe to preserve and protect this fragile sphere we call home.  Friedman cites many dangers that stem from the world becoming hot, flat and crowded. Dangers like petrodictatorship and global climate change.  But he also cites biodiversity loss.  Costa Rica has long realized its special place as a biodiversity hot-spot.  Development threatens that biodiversity.  The government of Costa Rica and the people of Costa Rica have a difficult balancing act to play in that regard.  Development brings jobs and gives rise to a higher level of consumption.  But unsustainable development kills forests, threatens species and pollutes rivers and oceans.  So what is more important, to consume more of our resources for our short-term enjoyment or conserve them for the enjoyment of future generations?  Costa Rica so far has chosen conservation over consumption and it is another reason I love Costa Rica.  I hope this Code Green mindset continues into the future.  The country, the Ticos and the whole world depend on it.

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