Green Costa Rica.

SOLAR PANELS IN COSTA RICA

                    

Everyday the temperature of the Earth is rising. We can feel and see the changes. In Costa Rica we also see a lot of changes. This year, Arenal dam, largest hydroelectric plant in Costa Rica, started with one of lower bookings in the last seven years water. The cost of electricity bills and even forced some industries to explore destinations outside the country to spend part of their processes in pursuit of savings and competitiveness. For this reason, ICE allows his clients to have their own generation plants part of a pilot program created in 2010. It has low customer that wants this plan, but in the last report they have more than 200 inscriptions.

The sun is a star and it has practically unlimited energy. Most of this solar energy is wasted. In this constant changes, people should see the solar energy as an option. The challenge is to make use of solar energy directly and in a non- polluting fashion. The solar power is still use in two primary forms. The first one is thermo solar, where the heat of the sun is used to heat water. The second form is the photovoltaic power, where electricity is produced directly from the sun with no moving parts.

It is said that Henri Bequerel discovered the photovoltaic effect. The photovoltaic effect the production of electricity directly from the sun. Over the years, the photovoltaic power has increased and became more practical. Also, is one of the most promising renewable energy sources in the planet. This power does not require a lot of maintenance and a large-scale installation to operate. One of the advantages is not necessary a turbine to generate energy. The panel has cells that last for decades. This energy provides users to generate their own energy.

This solar energy has a lot of advantages for the customers. First, the bill of electricity is going to be much lower than usual. Second, as the panel generates throughout the day, when the intake in the house is low, the excess of energy goes the ICE network. Although, this process of installing and buying the panel isn’t cheap, the investment is worth it. In Costa Rica, the interest of buying the panel is still very low. On the other hand, foreign are more interest about panels and their benefits. Another important advantage is that the return on investment for installing a solar panel system takes 4 to 6 years depending on the installed equipment and consumption.

From now on, we need to consider a change in currency energy system to eliminate or use much less the fossils fuels. There are alternative technologies available for the use of solar energy that can allow the diversification of energy sources. The main problem for the users and general population is the economic factor. Because it is very expensive and takes a lot to get back the investment, the general situation in Costa Rica in the economy, can’t afford a solar panel in their houses. To continue making awareness, the government must help and support this kind of projects. Solar energy has a lot of benefits such as that they do not pollute. We have the power as users and consumers to be the leaders and decide the direction of this change in energy system. 

Violence and Discrimation

Violence and Discrimination

What makes everybody different and unique is the way we think. I don’t think that is the problem. The problem when somebody disagrees with you in a bad way or act in a different way. That’s why we see so much violence and discrimination. Violence is “an extreme form of aggression.” Discrimination is “the unjust treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age or sex.”   In these days, we still have these problems.

Violence has a lot of types. The most common violence is physical. Physical violence occurs when someone use an object to control another person. Is very sad to watch the news and read the newspaper that statistics are increasing. Another type of violence is sexual violence. This happens when someone is forced against his or her will to do a sexual activity. Sometimes we don’t thing that psychological violence is a type of violence. It happens when someone uses threats and causes fear in a person to gain control.

Violence hay many causes. It includes frustration, violence in their home or neighborhood and hostile environment. Some situation can increase violence. For example, drinking too much alcohol or drugs. The best thing to do is to seek help or help other who needs it. Violence shouldn’t be the first thing you do to people. Any kind of violence will affect the closest one.

Discrimination still occurs in this world. This happens because people make unfair assumptions about what people with certain characteristics can and can’t do.  There are many types of discrimination. Most common discriminations are by age, disability, harassment, religion, sexual orientation and more. We are still fighting to eradicate discrimination. But we can’t change what people believe. We can change people manners.

In this moment, violence and discrimination are increasing in many ways. I don’t think this is what I want for my kids and future generations. We need to set an example. We need to understand that we all are human beings. We should be polite and be respectful of one another. We should be more open mind and listen to what others have to say. We all have equal opportunity and rights and live in a safe environmental place.

Workbook: page 84

Two weeks ago, I went to visit Cartago with my friends. I love Cartago because it feels like you’re in another country.  What I like the most of Cartago’s town is a peaceful and vibrant place.  One of the places that we visited was “Sanatorio Duran”. It has a very weird and creepy vibe. Everything was warped and hunched. One day, I want to go there again in the night. I think that would be a lot fun and scary at the same time.

We also visit Irazu Volcano. It was so cold, but we can see the crater. I know that is dangerous and there is a reason that they put safety zone and railings, but I always want to trespass that safety zone. The reason of this thought is that I can see more closely the crater. Someday I will do it. My friends and I zigzag the way up there to the crater. It was a fun day and I love to spend time with them. We laugh a lot and create new memories.