New Frog Species Discovered in Costa Rica
University of Costa Rica scientists discovered a new species of frog in a mountainous region of their country. The frog is about 2 cm. in length and lives in the Altamira-Valle de Silencio area at an altitude of around 8,000 feet. The habitat there is rainforest with cool temperatures. The frog was named Diasporus ventrimaculatus. Females are black and the males are orange, or grey.
“This differentiation in the skin of males and females was a feature that had only been detected in the country in the late golden toad of Monteverde,” said the biologist from the UCR, Gerardo Chaves.
Males typically make their calls in the early evening. Females don’t vocalize in exactly the same manner, but respond with vocalizations that sound like hissing. Currently the population is estimated at at least 1,000. They live at ground level between bromeliads and shrubs.
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Seven Deadly Sins in Central American Small Business Start Ups
Many associates and friends have said to me, they were thinking about moving their money and or business, or starting a new business in Central America… and ask “what can I do there?” Well, it is an “underdeveloped region” which means pretty much everything needs development. The lure of the tropics, new markets, corporate incentives, lower labor costs are attractive, and the Central Americas are an “emerging market”, so opportunities abound. You will have to be a “hands on” leader. You cannot take your eyes off the ball in Central America.
The Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFT) has/is and will continue to alter the business landscape. New industries such as Biofuels and Medical Tourism, to name a couple, are fast rising, providing new opportunities and subsequent value chains.
You will be dealing with a social/nationalist mentality that is in a state of flux as the region adjusts to the “international” mindset.
If you have not been in business or at least lived here for a number of years you will need good intelligence of the region and the market you are entering.
Unforeseen costs in start up phase and Bad accounting... for more go to http://www.thecostaricanews.com/seven_deadly_sins_business.html
Five Costa Rica Adventures
Catch a wave
Surfing enthusiasts from around the globe will be focused on Costa Rica this August, when the Billabong World Surfing Games are held at Jacó's Hermosa Beach. While this Pacific stretch's notorious breaks are mainly for experts, novices can learn to hang ten along the calmer shores of Manuel Antonio Beach, at the Manuel Antonio Surf School (lessons from $65). Just a short stroll away are the 38 quiet and spacious rooms and suites of the Arenas del Mar Beach & Nature Resort (doubles from $260).
Hit the trails
Clouds perpetually blanket the upper reaches of the 26,000-acre Monteverde Reserve, home to pumas, jaguars and thousands of plant and tree species, including 300 types of orchids. Selvatura Park (506-2645-5929, hikes from $40) arranges two-hour guided natural-history walks through the low-lying rain forest.
Touch the sky
A 1.7-mile zipline network in the Monteverde Reserve operated by Costa Rica Sky Adventures (tours from $65) gives airborne guests close-up glimpses of forest-dwelling mammals, like the fuzzy brown martilla, as well as views of the smoldering Arenal Volcano. A nighttime tour offers views of the volcano's brilliant orange lava flow.
Ride the river
Float quietly past the howler monkeys, green iguanas, crocodiles and toucans that reside on the thickly forested banks of Guanacaste's Tenorio River while rafting with Ríos Tropicales (half-day trips from $95). Expert guides can lead you through adrenaline-pumping rapids or slower, meandering waters. Recover two hours away in one of the 310 dark wood-accented rooms -- all have balconies -- at the new JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa (doubles from $369).
Lend a hand
More than 500,000 species thrive in Costa Rica's diverse landscape, an impressive 25 percent of which is under official protection. Eco-minded Green Magic Travel (pricing depends on project) organizes customized itineraries with volunteer activities -- protecting green, hawksbill and leatherback turtle nests with park rangers in Tortuguero National Park, or counting species like the endangered rainbow-hued scarlet macaw in Corcovado National Park.
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Global warming 'irreversible' for next 1000 years
AFP/Getty Images/File – The Department of Water and Power (DWP) San Fernando Valley Generating Station is seen in Sun Valley, …
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Climate change is "largely irreversible" for the next 1,000 years even if carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions could be abruptly halted, according to a new study led by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The study's authors said there was "no going back" after the report showed that changes in surface temperature, rainfall and sea level are "largely irreversible for more than 1,000 years after CO2 emissions are completely stopped." NOAA senior scientist Susan Solomon said the study, published in this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, showed that current human choices on carbon dioxide emissions are set to "irreversibly change the planet."
Researchers examined the consequences of CO2 building up beyond present-day concentrations of 385 parts per million, and then completely stopping emissions after the peak. Before the industrial age CO2 in Earth's atmosphere amounted to only 280 parts per million. The study found that CO2 levels are irreversibly impacting climate change, which will contribute to global sea level rise and rainfall changes in certain regions. The authors emphasized that increases in CO2 that occur from 2000 to 2100 are set to "lock in" a sea level rise over the next 1,000 years.
Rising sea levels would cause "irreversible commitments to future changes in the geography of the Earth, since many coastal and island features would ultimately become submerged," the study said. Decreases in rainfall that last for centuries can be expected to have a range of impacts, said the authors. Regional impacts include -- but are not limited to -- decreased human water supplies, increased fire frequency, ecosystem change and expanded deserts.
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AIRPORTS, FLIGHTS, AND FLIGHT TIMES TO COSTA RICA
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It takes between 2 ½ and 6 hours to fly to Costa Rica from most U.S. cities. Most international flights still land in San Jose's International Airport. However, more and more direct international flights are touching down in Liberia's International Airport. Also, the regional airport in Quepos can easily be reached from the San Jose Airport by way of Sansa or Nature Air. A quick 30 minute flight brings you to the coast and opens up all that the Central and South Central regions have to offer.
Daily flights begin early in the morning and continue into the afternoon. Delta, American, US Airways, America West, and Continental have regular nonstop commercial flights to Liberia from their hubs in Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, Phoenix, and Houston. Liberia is the gateway to the beaches of the Guanacaste region and the Nicoya Peninsula, and a direct flight here eliminates the need for a separate commuter flight in a small aircraft.
The new Palma Sur International Airport is scheduled for operation in 2010 (it will be the largest in Central America). It will be about a forty ‐five minute drive south from Dominical, all on a very smooth, paved road. The airport has been in the works for a couple years now, but very recently, a significant amount of necessary funding was received and the project is moving forward.
Numerous airlines fly into Costa Rica. These are some of the major carriers and major cities: American Airlines has flights from Los Angeles, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and Dallas ‐Fort Worth to San José and Liberia. Continental offers flights daily from Houston and Newark to San José, and a daily flight from Houston to Liberia. Delta offers two daily flights from Atlanta to San José and one daily flight from Atlanta to Liberia. Delta also has a once ‐weekly direct flight from Los Angeles to Liberia. Frontier offers non ‐stop service between Denver and San Jose. Mexicana flies from many North American cities, most connecting through Mexico City. Spirit Air has three weekly direct flights between Ft. Lauderdale and San José. US Airways has direct flights from Charlotte to San José and Liberia. Taca is a group of Central American airlines, with direct flights or connections to and from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New Orleans, New York, Miami, and Washington.
Here are some flight times from some major U.S. cities:
New York: 4 ‐5 hours non ‐stop or 6 ‐7 hours via Miami
Los Angeles: 5 ‐6 hours non ‐stop or 7 ‐8 hours via Mexico
Miami: 2 hours
Chicago: 4 ‐5 hours
Atlanta: 4 hours
Houston: 3 hours
Seattle: 7 hours
Ft. Lauderdale: 2 ½ hours
Traveling for Treatment
http://www.forbes.com/
(HealthDay News) -- David Boucher celebrated his 50th birthday this year by jetting to Bangkok for his first colonoscopy. There he was seen by a California-educated physician and no shortage of nurses, who verified his identity 15 times before the procedure.
To be sure, Boucher had a secondary motive: He is founder and president of Companion Global Healthcare, a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina that includes in its network 13 hospitals around the world that have been accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI).
The JCI, which calls itself the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval," has accredited more than 170 hospitals outside of the United States.
An estimated 6 million Americans are traveling each year to such countries as India, Costa Rica, Mexico and Thailand in search of less-expensive treatments for simple and complex procedures. Even France and Belgium tend to be cheaper than the United States.
"People are going abroad for necessary medical treatments such as knee and hip replacements and cardiac procedures," said Devon Herrick, senior fellow with the National Center for Policy Analysis, in Dallas. "And in many countries, especially places like India, the quality is very high and the price can be up to 80 percent less expensive." And that often includes the airline ticket.
Major U.S. health-care players are jumping on the train, including BlueShield of California. Its "Access Baja" health plan caters to Americans and Mexicans wanting to get medical care in northern Mexico. BridgeHealth International, based in Denver, also has an overseas network.
What's driving the trend?.... For more go to http://www.thecostaricanews.com/health-costa-rica.html http://www.thecostaricanews.com/
Central American Investors shift focus to Biofuels
Biofuel investing has seen a sharp rise over the past year, but spiked just since President Obama took office. Obama’s push for green energy investment and growing demand for Green Fuels is seen as the major cause for the increase in investors shifting focus to Biofuels in Costa Rica. Costa Rica’s national fuel supplier gets serious about Biofuel
Costa Rica’s National fuel company, Recope, is getting serious about the economic and climatic benefits of Biofuel. They are looking at a local seed bearing plant called Jatropha Curcas, or tempate by the locals.
They are investigating this opportunity through Central and North America’s most advance Jatropha plantation, found right here in Costa Rica, the Costa Rica Seed Company.
Costa Rica’s carbon neutral goals have been set for 2020, and the Costa Rican Banana industry recently announced its goal of 2012.
Growing Biofuel is the only way these goals can happen. The plants not only produce cleaner burning fuel, and are renewable and sustainable, but the plants also have a very high carbon absorption rate.
Jatropha has become the plant of choice in the Biofuel industry for several reasons. First, it is not a food crop, so has no impact on global food supplies. Second, it has extremely high oil content, 36-42%. Third, it is a very hardy plant and can be grown on marginal land. Fourth, it can go directly from the processing machine into diesel engines!
United Biofuels of America (UBA)
The UBA consortium consists of agricultural entities, industrial companies, universities, non-profit organizations and governments with the objective of developing Biofuel standards and promoting Biofuel research, development and commercialization. UBA organizes and develops feedstock producers to provide market channels and the highest quality control and standards for the end users. UBA works towards sustainable, renewable solutions for its members. Setting standards that are both environmental and socially responsible, and building sound Biofuel Farming Practices are primary goals of UBA.
Currently UBA has The 1,000,000 Gallon Challenge to meet US government and regional contracts for Jatropha Crude Oil (JCO). This will require significant plantation development to ensure feedstock to Biofuel capacity for these contracts. This project will require over 800,000 hectares of Jatropha plantation development over the next 5 years.
This represents approximately 2,000,000 gallons per day production when operations are at full capacity.
This Challenge will generate over 45,000 jobs in the region.
Research Center
UBA has already initiated the development of the research center and lab on the Costa Rica Seed Company (CRSC) plantation. When the center is complete, it will house the proprietary pilot system for conversion of JCO to jet fuel; in addition the lab will be used for further Biofuel development and testing.
UBA as a Standards Regulatory platform will provide a testing capabilities to regulate Biofuel quality and technical standards. The UBA label will ensure quality standards that are required by our buying members. Initially this includes JCO for Biodiesel and for conversion standards of JCO to jet fuel, as well as providing full technical specification for member feedstock providers.
United Biofuels of America to Launch 1,000,000 Gallon Challenge in Costa Rica
United Biofuels of America (UBA), announces the 1,000,000 Gallon Challenge to meet US government contract for Jatropha Crude Oil (JCO). This will require significant plantation developments to ensure feedstock to Biofuel capacity for USA Aerospace government contracts for conversion of JCO to Jet Fuel and Green Diesel. This project will require over 800,000 hectares of Jatropha plantation development over the next 5 years.
This represents over 1,000,000 gallons per day production when operations are at full capacity. This will also produce over 40,000 jobs in the region... | FIND OUT MORE http://www.jatrophaworldcostarica.com
US Vice President Joe Biden to head south of the border
VP Joe Biden 
Costa RicaPresident Oscar Arias
(CNN) – Vice President Joe Biden will travel to Latin America later this month, according to White House statement released Friday.
Biden will head south of the border March 27-30, arriving in Chile and Costa Rica to meet with Latin American leaders to discuss the Summit of the Americas — a meeting between heads of state and government taking place April in Trinidad and Tobago.
The vice president will also attend the Progressive Governance conference in Chile, along with the presidents of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, and the Prime Ministers of Norway and the United Kingdom.
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Empowering Local Communities
What is an intentional community?
There are thousands of intentional communities all over the world: for a better idea, just visit the intentional community international directory at www.ic.org. There are hundreds of intentional communities in Costa Rica alone. There are so many of these communities in Costa Rica that an online, open-source directory of these Costa Rican communities is currently being constructed, called the Intentional Conscious Communities of Costa Rica (ICCCR) directory (coming soon to www.icccr.info).
By definition, an intentional community is a planned, usually residential community designed, operated and maintained by a group. The members of an intentional community typically hold a common social, political, religious, or spiritual vision. Community members also share responsibilities and resources.
Intentional communities are all inclusive; they include co-housing communities, residential land trusts, eco-villages, communes, holistic and alternative health retreat centers, organic farms, kibbutzim, ashrams, student co-ops, and housing cooperatives. They are often called "Conscious Communities" throughout Costa Rica. Usually new members of an intentional community are selected by the community's existing membership, rather than by real-estate agents or land owners (if the land is not owned collectively by the community.)
The ICCCR’s definition of an intentional conscious community is any shared work and housing group, community or program that seeks to do a combination or elements of mind-body-spirit-earth work that is eco-sustainable and empowers the local community (Ticos!): nonprofit organizations, social entrepreneurial programs, and small businesses alike.
The ICCCR, seeks to identify, assess, and unify these communities through an informational, open-source web portal, with the ultimate objective of empowering these communities through networking; skills-share; marketing their products and services locally, domestically and internationally; information exchange; capacity-building workshops; matching them with conscious investors and stewards; as well as keeping them up to date on funding opportunities such as social entrepreneurial grants and carbon credits.
Ultimately, the ICCCR seeks to empower these intentional conscious communities in Costa Rica in order that they can be economically sustainable, as well as eco-sustainable, stimulate their local economies, and protect Costa Rica’s natural resources (the rainforests are just one of many!) from big development. The ICCCR seeks to be a valuable tool for Costa Rica’s natural resource management.
The ICCCR, in collaboration with Fincas Amanecer and Fincas Paraiso Verde (both organic farm communities in Londres, Quepos) are holding their very first workshop for intentional communities in Costa Rica:
Intentional Conscious Community Planning Hands-On Workshop (For Beginners/Forming Communities to Established Communities): March 27-30, 2009
Workshops include how to write a short-term and long-term business plan for people who do not speak Business; how to market your products and services on the internet (social media network marketing); how carbon credits work; how to procure social entrepreneurial grants and seed money; pigs for propane; an edible and medicinal plant tour (which can be used as an income generation tool for eco-communities!); and then valuable information about legal, business and residency issues in Costa Rica.
More details about the development of the ICCCR and the upcoming workshops can be found at
http://icccr.wordpress.com.http://thenonprofitguru.wordpress.com/
http://icccr.wordpress.com/
http://www.examiner.com/x-2454-SF-Alternative-Recreation-Examiner
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of
a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
E. B. White For More Visit http://www.thecostaricanews.com