Al Gore Event in Costa Rica

On March 16, 2011, several members of the Cayuga team, along with the Sustainability Coordinators from Harmony Hotel and Lapa Rios, attended the Business Forum on Sustainability and Environment, in San Jose.

The daylong event was concluded with a keynote speech by Former U.S. Vice-President, Al Gore, who presented his proactive lecture, “Climate Change: Developing New Economic Development and the Global Approach".

Gore’s speech urged the attendees…“to put a price on carbon so as to achieve more rapid changes in the use of fossil fuels - as gasoline and diesel, and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere”. He also encouraged them to be leaders in the fight against global warming.

“I do not want to give the idea that the choices we have are easy, but it is necessary,” Gore said. "Costa Rica is a hero in the protection of nature. I am aware that this presents many challenges, but they are succeeding at what they do”.

Hans Pfister, President of Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, had positive comments about the event. “The speech was very inspiring, but what was really great was to hear how Costa Rica is perceived as a leader in sustainability as a country and makes a difference by inspiring people. At our hotels, we hope to do the same thing and inspire our guests to take action in terms of sustainability by lowering their carbon footprint or becoming involved in their local communities.”

The Forum, held at the Marriot Hotel, was a carbon neutral and zero waste event. Cayuga donated their ever-popular bamboo straws to the event for the drinks!

Quotes by Al Gore from La Nacion, Costa Rica’s national newspaper.