50 years of fighting for the planet
For over 50 years, I have dedicated my life to fighting for the planet. The forest is where I feel most at peace, surrounded by the natural world that always amazes me. As a husband, father, and grandfather, my love for my family deepens my commitment to protect nature for the next generations even more.
My journey is deeply connected to Costa Rica, a country whose environmental achievements fill me with pride. We have made significant strides in conservation, from doubling our forest coverage to becoming a global leader in eco-tourism and sustainability. These stories of success need to be told, not just to celebrate our accomplishments but to inspire others to continue the fight for our planet.
Despite these achievements, I also feel a deep sense of frustration and disappointment at how we are collectively failing to manage our Earth. The critical issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, and ocean degradation are not being addressed with the urgency they demand. This ongoing negligence fuels my determination to keep sharing my story.
“A man should share the action and passion of his times at the peril of being judged not to have lived” – Oliver Wendell Holmes
I believe that staying frustrated or hopeless is not productive. Instead, I choose to tell my story, which is closely intertwined with Costa Rica’s journey. It is a story of challenges, struggles, and achievements in the fight for our planet. Through my website, I aim to inspire younger generations and leave a testimonial of my lifelong commitment to environmental protection.
As I reflect on my half-century of work, I am driven by a sense of urgency, which has intensified since I became a proud grandfather. Despite missed opportunities, we can and must act now, deploying proven solutions to our environmental crises. I hope my experiences and insights will help young people understand the complexities of our global challenges and empower them to avoid past mistakes and drive meaningful change.
This website is my legacy, a testament to my dedication, and a call to action for future generations to passionately care for our planet.
Alvaro Umaña Quesada
