As I continue my journey through Costa Rica, I keep returning to the idea of purification. The rainforests that stretch as far as the eye can see hold the key to two essential forms of purification: cleansing the air we breathe and rejuvenating our soul and connection to nature. In this blog post, I will delve into the significance of forests in purifying the air and discuss my research project on the effectiveness of Costa Rica’s forests in filtering pollutants and improving air quality. I will also share personal reflections on how this transformative experience has provided a much-needed soul detox.
As we make our way through the course material, I become acutely aware of the detrimental effects of pesticides in agriculture and their impact on the environment. Pesticides, while intended to protect crops, often pose significant risks to biodiversity and human health. Widespread use of these chemicals disrupts ecosystems, pollutes water sources, and jeopardizes the delicate balance of nature. I recall a lecture Dr. Libby gave us in which he told us a story of a farm and how something very important was missing… any sign of life. The pesticide use had driven away all creatures (mammals, insects, and birds alike) as well as prevented any plant biodiversity in the field. This heavy use of pesticides contributes to global warming and we have seen the negative effects first hand. It is evident that purification is not merely a necessity for the air we breathe but also a vital component for the well-being of our planet.
One aspect of the course includes conducting our own research with a partner. My partner and I have decided to focus on nature’s different filters that may affect air quality. We hope to find some evidence of the forest filtration effect which explains what a forest’s role is in filtering the air and removing pollutants from it. The dense foliage and diverse plant species act as nature’s filter, absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen, and filtering out harmful particulate matter. The remarkable transformation of air quality within the forest is a testament to the invaluable role of these ecosystems in maintaining a balanced and healthy environment. As we collect data and analyze the results, we hope to contribute to the growing body of evidence that supports the preservation of forests, particularly the older ones that possess the greatest air purification potential.
After fine tuning our project for a few days, our group visited a banana farm and, to our surprise, we saw the forest filtration effect idea in action. The banana farm we visited was owned by a small family that grows their bananas organically, without pesticides. However, their little farm was surrounded by Dole banana plantations on 3 sides. These surrounding plantations use heavy pesticides and these pesticides can get spread by wind onto the organizing farm. To keep this from happening, the family planted large trees around the perimeter of their farm with the idea being that those trees would block and filter the air and prevent the pesticides from contaminating the farm.
To fully understand why two farms right next to each other can have such different views and practices regarding pesticide use, it is essential to understand the pros and cons of pesticide use in agriculture. Pesticides protect crops from pests and diseases and allow monoculture to exist. It prevents crops from going spoiled and allows corporations to produce thousands of crops for the public. They are also the least labor-intensive way of protecting crops; yet, they can cause farms to use an abundant amount of a different source of pesticide control – plastic. We saw this when we visited the organic pineapple farm. To keep weeds from growing around the pineapple crop, they laid down an incredible amount of plastic. Our guide said the plastic had to be thrown away every few years and replaced. I can only hope he meant recycled. However, their long-term consequences are alarming. Pesticide residues contaminate soil, water bodies, and air, posing risks to the health of both humans and wildlife. As we left La Selva and made our way to Tortuguero, we passed a large banana plantation. As I stared in awe at the thousands of banana trees we passed, I couldn’t help but wonder how many liters of pesticides they used to keep the plantation alive. This level of pesticide use causes the delicate balance of ecosystems to be disrupted, leading to biodiversity loss and ecological imbalances.
However, the purification I’ve experienced has gone beyond the physical. As I research purification of the air through my own project, I cannot help but feel a sense of purification taking place within my own soul. This experience feels like a detox from modern life. Simply the presence of nature has an incredible ability to heal. Furthermore, the connections formed during this journey have
become essential to purifying the soul. Surrounded by like-minded individuals and kind individuals, I feel a sense of belonging and community that brings comfort and joy. The shared experiences, laughter, and genuine conversations feel as though I have been offered a fresh start and I have found a newfound appreciation for the power of authentic connections.
For me personally, this journey has been much-needed. Having experienced a difficult period with a previous friend group, I came to Costa Rica with a sense of apprehension, worry, and dread. However, the genuine connections formed with my classmates have created a space for positive energy in what was previously only negative.
I hope with our last week that I continue to feel this healing of the soul. I hope, as my partner and I sift through the data we have collected, we find some small trace of evidence of the forest filtration effect. I hope that I take what I have learned here, and apply it to my life moving forward whether that be surrounding myself with people and things that make me happy or advocating for forests around the world.
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