131. Being Smartly Selfish is Selfless with President Carlos Alvarado

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">¡Feliz Día de la Abolición del Ejército en Costa Rica!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Happy Military Abolition Day in Costa Rica!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Every year on December 1st, the country of Costa Rica celebrates the day that Christiana’s father and former Costa Rican president, José Figueres Ferrer, abolished their national army and redirected that part of the national budget to biodiversity and education. This year marks the 73rd anniversary!</span><span style= "font-weight: 400;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So with that in mind, we take a break from our COP26 reflections to speak with President Carlos Alvarado of Costa Rica! With over 50% of their country re-forested, an energy grid that is 99.5% renewables, and ZERO investments in weapons or military, Costa Rica is a model for how to lead sustainably in a world of compounding crises. How does Costa Rica do it, and what can other countries learn from this example?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">May we all be more like Costa Rica!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And! Stick around ‘til the end for a soulful tune from musical artist Bobby Bazini!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">—</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Christiana + Tom’s book</span> <a href= "https://globaloptimism.com/the-future-we-choose/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">‘The Future We Choose’</span></a> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">is available now!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter:</span> <a href= "https://www.getrevue.co/profile/globaloptimism/issues/signals-amidst-the-noise-climate-action-news-from-global-optimism-issue-7-647990/e9c743fe-f38b-4e7c-a095-1536e0162613"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Signals Amidst The Noise</span></a></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">—</span></p