Final-Commodifying the Rainforest : The Pros and Cons of Ecotourism in Costa Rica

Abstract

I finally decided on this topic after grappling with issues of environmental ethics and sustainable development. So many developing countries are turning to ecotourism as a way to profit off of their biodiversity. On the one hand, I feel that this commodification not only disrupts the natural systems of these areas but also turns environments into middle-class playgrounds that alienate indigenous cultures and further removes them from the land. On the other hand, it is a way to develop an economy not based on destruction but on conservation. For many countries it is becoming a viable option when faced with deforestation and environmental degradation. What I plan to look at in my paper is how I, as a future ecologist, should situate myself in this argument. Is ecotourism a tool of destruction or a tool of sustainability?