The United States stands as the world’s largest economy by gross domestic product and a leading force in technology, mass media and the protection of free speech. For decades it has also been at the forefront of space innovation, sending humans to the moon and dispatching robotic explorers to Mars. It truly seems no frontier is beyond its reach. Yet, for all its remarkable achievements beyond Earth’s atmosphere, the United States remains the second largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world. As the wounds of the climate crisis deepen, the onus will fall onto the next generation to bridge this paradox and push for climate reform through innovation, bold actions and urgently needed accountability.
Amid the country’s current political polarization and President-elect Donald Trump’s administration’s vow to withdraw from the Paris Agreement while bolstering fossil fuel industries, international climate conferences such as the Conference of the Parties have become increasingly crucial. These conferences, supported by the participation of nations, progressive institutions and individuals, offer a platform for fostering collective change despite setbacks from major emitters. One such voice at this year’s conference in Azerbaijan was Carlos Alvarado-Quesada, the former president of the Republic of Costa Rica from 2018 to 2022 and a professor of the practice in diplomacy at Tufts. Renowned for his leadership in advancing Costa Rica’s environmental initiatives, Alvarado-Quesada discussed the efficacy of the conference as a forum for action, particularly in the context of growing skepticism about the effectiveness of previous gatherings.
Alvarado-Quesada advocates for the adoption of mechanisms like the Universal Periodic Review, a process by which the United Nations Human Rights Council conducts periodic peer reviews of human rights practices in each country. He asserts that this framework is necessary for holding countries accountable for their actions and inactions, fostering transparency and ensuring that climate pledges translate into measurable results.
As a leader from the small and notably environmentally progressive nation of Costa Rica, Alvarado-Quesada reminds us not to be misled by the scale of a country’s size or resources. “We should not let scale deceive us,” he wrote in an email to the Daily, underscoring that small states have continued to remain a pivotal element in the conversation of climate policy. Costa Rica’s own achievements demonstrate that “if a small, middle-income country can drive radical change, others with more resources can do so as well.” He also highlighted the importance of coalitions such as the Alliance of Small Island States, which, driven by the urgency and necessity of survival rather than power, provides a moral compass for global climate diplomacy.
Reflecting on this year’s conference, Alvarado-Quesada notes that while local actions continue to offer hope, the current conference model is “exhausted and needs to evolve to the next level.” Looking ahead toward next year’s conference in Brazil, he hopes that it will serve as an opportunity to reflect and usher in meaningful change.
The involvement of academic bodies like Tufts, similarly to vulnerable states, should not be underestimated. Ultimately, it is these institutions that serve to inspire the next generation of leaders. For Tufts students, Alvarado-Quesada’s message cannot be made clearer: “COPs are important, but they are just one level of the playing field.” He urges individuals to look past what may seem beyond their control and focus on what they can influence — “our voice, our time, our strength, and how we choose to focus these resources.” The power to act lies within each of us and our proclivity for taking initiative. If we choose to wait for change, for the ideal moment or for others to make the right decision, we risk waiting too long. We must grapple with the question: What will we, as a generation, leave behind for the generations to come?
“No one needs to wait for permission, a diploma, or a job to start making an impact,” Alvarado-Quesada wrote. “It’s a personal choice we are all confronted with every single day.”
