Costa Rica

New heat records in the oceans
After June 2009 also July 2009 was an absolute record month concerning the temperatures in the oceans. With 17 degrees Celsius in average the global temperature of the water has passed the previous maximum mark of July 1998 (at the time the weather phenomenon el Nino set out in the Pacific) .The Mediterranean Sea is already at 3 degrees above the long-term averages. Also in the Pacific and Indian Ocean there are strong heatings observed. The consequences include the extinction of corals, which threatens the live basis of millions of people. On the Pacific Ocean in Costa Rica, one can increasingly observe a strong, toxic algae growth, which is the reason for the extinction of many animals in the water. Moreover, one can assume that Hurricains are frequent and increasing in strength. The U.S. NOAA Weather Authority warns that el Nino could make himself in the coming months even more noticeable.

The prices rise, fall and rise again
The inflation rate of Europe in March 2008 increased to 3.8 percent. The high oil and food prices were the main causes for the sharp increasing of the prices. Even in America exist the fear that the bad U.S. economy will not increase as fast. In June 2008 the U.S. car market fell approximately by 18.3 percent because of the rising gas prices. The oil companies achieve record profits and the barrel of U.S. light variety WTI cost now about 145.00 U.S. dollars. The world's largest oil group Exxon Mobil made last year the highest profits ever with fantastic 40.6 billion U.S. dollars. The profit of this company exceeds the gross domestic product (GDP) with two-thirds of all the countries in the world. The food prices increase worldwide, more than one billion people starve. Agriculture itself needs a lot of energy and causes a third of CO2 emissions. In the case of fertilizer, pesticides and transportation with tractors, agriculture dependents on oil. The consequences of the climate change will be that the farmland dry up or are flooded. Worldwide, there have been the bigger protests yet. People who try to change the clima, conservationists and agricultural experts should talk with each other to find quickly solutions. Also in Costa Rica the prices went higher and higher in last year. Through the economic Depression and the low demand for gas, for example, the prices decreased sharply again. One can however assume that they will rise again.
For tourists and people who love the nature is Costa Rica still an interesting country. About 25% of the country area is nature protected. The prices for meals and hotels in Costa Rica, especially in the so-called rainy season, are moderate.