What does it mean to be ‘carbon neutral’ and what are the benefits to communities, cities and economies?

Celebrating Earth Hour on Sunday 27^th March, Newstalk Documentary maker Susan Cahill travelled to Costa Rica and Sweden to see how both these countries are lowering their carbon emissions and playing their part in fighting climate change. Her documentary ‘Pura Vida: Resilient Cities & Carbon Neutral Race’ is a thought provoking environmental documentary which travels to some of the most unique carbon neutral locations in the world – to see if countries as diverse as Costa Rica in Central America and Sweden in Northern Europe can reduce their carbon footprint by 2021. ‘Pura Vida’ highlights the opportunities available in renewable energy for mitigating the catastrophic affects of climate change and showcases some of the best global examples from Costa Rica and Sweden. 

Presenter Susan Cahill visits an eclectic mix of hydroelectric power plants, wind energy farms, sustainable farms and urban green spaces and businesses. ’Pura Vida’ visits the climate change hotspot of the world – Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in central Costa Rica – to see the devastating affects of carbon growth on one of the world’s most celebrated tropical ecosystems. The first two species lost to climate change were officially reported in Monteverde – the Golden Toad and Harlequin Frog in 1987 and 1989. Susan visits Malmo in Southern Sweden, the world’s first eco-city, to see how sustainable urban development has positively impacted on the city’s air quality, transport systems and community spaces.

Listen to Susan’s ’Pura Vida’ documentary below
Susan Cahill received funding for this exciting carbon neutral project by Comhar Sustainable Development Council.

Malmo Carbon Neutral report for Culture Shock
Hear how Malmo in Sweden – Europe’s greenest city – is gearing up for Carbon Neutrality.

Mary Robinson Interview for Global Village
Susan Cahill interviews Mary Robinson on the issue of climate justice for Global Village.

Costa Rica Carbon Neutral Report for The Wide Angle
Susan Cahill reports live from San Jose in Costa Rica for The Wide Angle show on the challenges facing Costa Rica on their carbon neutral plan.

Car Free Day 2011 on Lunchtime
Damien Kiberd highlights the opportunities in green energy and sustainable travel on International Car Free Day, 22nd September 2010.

Jessica Webb Interview
Listen to Susan Cahill’s interview with Jessica Webb of The Rainforest Alliance Costa Rica from the atmospheric Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in central Costa Rica.

The Good Shepherd Homeless Shelter in Costa Rica
Hear how the Irish Franciscan missionary movement is supporting the homeless and destitute of Costa Rica. Kattia Herrera, the inspirational manager of The Good Shepherd Homeless Shelter in the community of St Martin, Aelajuela, Costa Rica, talks to Susan about the challenges facing the homeless of Costa Rica.

Kattia Herrera with a lodger at the shelter

Susan meets with innovative Scandinavian business leaders and companies such as SAS Airlines, the Radisson Blu Hotel and SJ Electric Trains who are committed to reducing their environmental footprint and sets the strong business case for going green! ‘Pura Vida’ asks – Should governments, societies and businesses dramatically re- think their transportation, consumption and energy policies or should they jump on the green bandwagon and fight climate change?

Susan Cahill received funding for this exciting carbon neutral project by Comhar Sustainable Development Council. ‘Pura Vida’ documentary aired on Newstalk on Saturday the 26th of March between 7am and 8am and was repeated on Sunday the 27th of March between 9pm and 10pm.