Costa Rica Lifestyle of Low Consumption

I have written before about my view that “American-style” consumerism is at the root of many problems the world faces.

Often I have contrasted that high consumption lifestyle with what prevails here in Costa Rica. Comparatively speaking, Costa Rica lifestyle is marked by low consumption, although the influx of North Americans in the last decade threatens to change all that.

Granted, low consumption isn’t for everybody. I understand that. But I could imagine that if enough people lived this way, the earth might be a better place, or at least we’d have a more sustainable planet that might remain an enjoyable place for foreseeable generations.

What exactly am I getting at with this idea of a Costa Rica lifestyle of low consumption?

Let me provide some examples. As always, there are exceptions! But exceptions don’t make the rules.

Costa Ricans don’t, for the most part, use appliances, such as dishwashers and clothes dryers, that consume inordinate amounts of electricity.

They often use “suicide showers”, which heat the water nicely at the shower head, rather than energy wasting hot water heaters. These can be frightening experiences for first-time users.

In the higher altitudes of Costa Rica, like the Central Valley, no one uses air condition, nor heat.

Down on the coast that may be a different story, at least for a/c. But not really if you live high enough to cool things down a bit with an ocean breeze, as well as a spectacular view. Yes, there are places where you can “have your cake and eat it too” in Costa Rica!

In Costa Rica, we grow our own fruit, or it could just be growing wild on its own, right in your backyard. We don’t need to buy our fruit and produce from industrialized farms that are depleting the soil and poisoning it, and us, with pesticides.

We often buy our veggies from local farmer’s markets, like the one pictured above in my hometown of San Isidro de El General. Again, food here is usually grown locally rather than by industrialized farms located far away, who then have to ship the food to a grocer near you. There has been a recent push for organic or hydroponic home gardening and many, including yours truly, are growing our own food in this manner.

In Costa Rica we generally buy used cars and then drive them to the last kilometer. This is in large part due to the ridiculously high cost of new imports, but it helps keep our consumption rate low compared to other “more developed” societies where consumers buy new cars every few years. Being a mechanic is a very honorable and in-demand “profession” in Costa Rica as a result.

In Costa Rica we protect the environment because we realize it’s the main reason we get up every morning with a smile on our faces. Not to mention the dollars it brings from others who like to visit frequently and enjoy a similar experience.

I could go on, but you probably already catch my drift.

Now, mind you, those living in places like Duluth or Detroit can’t do some of these climate dependent low consumption things and probably wouldn’t even want to.

That’s fine, since part and parcel of a low-consumption, earth-friendly, attitude of life, is maintaining a non-judgmental mindset towards others.

But for those of you who are intrigued by this Costa Rica lifestyle of low consumption, come on down, the water is very very nice!

Take the Expat Tour and see for yourself.