Costa Rica has launched a campaign to become the first country in the
world to attain carbon dioxide balance, meaning a nationwide effort to
protect the environment, so as to counter the effect of greenhouse gas
emissions.

Minister of the Environment Roberto Dobles said the actions include
encouraging the use of bio-fuels, hybrid vehicles, clean energies, and
other environment-friendly technologies.

All told, a full 15 percent of the Gross Domestic Product will be
invested in the environment.

The 150 state members of the United Nations agreed, at a conference in
Nairobi, Kenya, to closely watch the progress of the Costa Rican
initiative, in order to duplicate it elsewhere around the world.