An entire month focused on the environment

The Costa Rican Environment Ministry has declared the entire month of June to be “Environment Month,” with a series of activities scheduled to draw attention to the need to protect the world’s natural resources.

The focus of the government efforts is to get people to think about their habits and how to change them. (The slogan for the initiative is Piensa. Alimentate. Ahorra. Think. Eat. Save.)

The anchor event is an Environmental Fair, held at the Antigua Aduana in downtown San José from Wednesday through Saturday. More than 100 booths showcase businesses and environmentally friendly initiatives, plus great “green” products and art.

Look for the giant “Urban Lung,” a huge sculpture by Costa Rican architect Francesco Bracci at the west side of the Antigua Aduana building. The idea behind the massive lung is to show how much pollution is caused by vehicles in the city, and its effect on humans and the planet.

A series of lectures also will take place during the fair, with different national and international speakers discussing sustainable production in Costa Rica, carbon neutrality, sustainable construction, renewable energy and other topics.

Both the fair and the lectures are free and open to the public from 9 a.m.-6p.m.