Creation of the Ministry of Environment and Energy
Back in 1986, in the midst of turbulent times in Central America, I had a bold vision for Costa Rica’s future. I approached President Oscar Arias with a groundbreaking proposal: the creation of a new ministry focused on natural resources, energy, and mines, known as MIRENEM. This visionary move later evolved into the Ministry of Environment and Energy, or MINAE.
But why did I push for this change? I wanted to give nature a voice in politics. I remember vividly that, in my time as a student at Stanford, I often found myself puzzled over how and why society exploits the environment, something that was very visible in my home country Costa Rica, with deforestation as the most tangible. I knew that Costa Rica heavily relied on hydroelectric energy, and to me it seemed logical that the environment, and forests in particular, should be under the same authority.
By elevating the environment to a cabinet level position for the first time, I aimed to empower a series of vital reforms. My goal was clear: to prioritize conservation, protect forests, and promote biodiversity and sustainable development.
The establishment of MINAE marked a new era in Costa Rican politics—a shift towards what now is called “political ecology.” This approach recognized the mutual reliance of ecosystems and human well-being, paving the way for science-based policies that prioritized environmental sustainability.
