ARLINGTON, VA – Today, Rare announced that former Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Quesada has been named to its Board of Trustees. Alvarado joins Rare’s growing network of experts, academics, and advocates focused on supporting behaviorally informed and community-led solutions to conservation challenges.
As the 48th President of Costa Rica, serving from 2018 to 2022, Alvarado focused on taking urgent action to address the climate crisis. His plan for Costa Rica included setting targets to reform transportation, energy, and land use, including his creation of Costa Rica’s National Decarbonization Plan, which established the roadmap to decarbonize the country’s economy by 2050. The plan also helped create the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, which now includes more than 100 member states.
“The countries most affected by climate change must have a say in the future of our planet, its biodiversity, and its inhabitants,” said Alvarado. “Building climate-resilient communities takes hard work, patience, and, most importantly, community buy-in. I’m honored to join the Board of an organization that keeps locally led solutions to climate change at the core of its work.”
“We are honored to have President Alvarado join our Board of Trustees,” said Rare CEO Brett Jenks. “His leadership in addressing climate change and advancing social justice during his presidency of Costa Rica are emblematic of his passion for and commitment to Rare’s mission. Rare will benefit tremendously from his experience and vision for improving people’s lives while protecting nature.”
The National Geographic Society awarded Alvarado the 2022 Planetary Leadership Award for his commitment to protecting the ocean. In 2019, he was named the Champion of the Earth by the United Nations Environment Program. Alvarado is currently a Professor of Practice in Diplomacy at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Alvarado and Jenks are both members of the newly formed Climate Migration Council.
President Alvarado’s election to Rare’s Board follows the recent elections of Karen Toliver, Vice President of Animation Film at Netflix; Kathy Baird, Chief Communications Officer of the Washington Post; Amy Berg, President of the Better Angels Society; Bruce Boyd, Principal and Senior Managing Director of Arabella Advisors; John Marshall, founder of the Potential Energy Coalition; and Dr. Elke Weber, the Gerhard R. Andlinger Professor in Energy and the Environment at Princeton University.
About Rare
Rare is an international non-profit organization specializing in social change for people and the planet. For nearly 50 years, Rare has partnered with individuals, communities, and local leaders on the frontlines of conservation to promote the adoption of sustainable practices. With a behavior-based approach, Rare empowers individuals and communities to better manage and protect nature on which we all depend. Learn more at rare.org.