Outrage + Optimism

Latest Episodes:

140. Every Country Could Be Carbon Negative with Erika Mouynes Feb 24, 2022

Show notes

“It doesn’t matter what your economy is. It’s just a matter of deciding of protecting your areas and committing to it.”

Last week it was reported that the world’s governments are currently subsidizing our own destruction to the tune of $1.8 Trillion a year…yeah. Not good. What does it look like to turn these subsidies around to promote nature, clean energy, and equitable access to energy across continents?

Maybe this week we have the answer, because in the midst of those irresponsible subsidies, this week we present a story of responsibility, political courage, and negativity! …The good kind.

Erika Mouynes is the Minister of Foreign Affairs from Panama, a country that recently attained certified Carbon Negative status. How does a country with a fleet of ships that is the 8th largest emitter of greenhouse gases and an economy based on global trade go carbon negative? Minister Mouynes tells all in our interview.

From implementing a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Fee, to the indigenous protection of land, and even some eco-surveillance in space, today’s episode is all about how a Minister of Forein Affairs goes absolutely Environmental.

And stick around ‘til the end for the African Fusion Soul stylings of ‘Ganda Boys’.

Enjoy the show!

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Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter!

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Mentioned links from the episode:

READ: ROADMAP TO REGENERATION: THE EARTHSHOT PRIZE SELECTION PRIORITIES 2022

READ: The Guardian - “World spends $1.8tn a year on subsidies that harm environment, study finds”

READ: Yuval Noah Harari’s 2% More Campaign

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Thanks to our guest this week, Minister Erika Mouynes!

Erika Mouynes

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama

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Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Panamá

Twitter | LinkedIn

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African Fusion Soul Group ‘Ganda Boys’ are our musical guest!

Ganda Boys

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website | YouTube

(Note from Clay - Be sure to check out their YouTube)

Ganda Foundation

Website

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres online:

Instagram | Twitter

Tom Rivett-Carnac:

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Paul Dickinson:

LinkedIn | Twitter

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Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

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139. 2% For 1.5 with Yuval Noah Harari Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

It took 40-50% of GDP to win WWII, 15% to manage COVID in 2020, so what can 2% do?

Historian, philosopher, bestselling author (and newly welcomed activist!), Yuval Noah Harari joins us to highlight how investing just 2% of global GDP into developing eco-friendly technologies and infrastructure every year could avert “the apocalypse” as he puts it.

His clear, down-to-the-essence thinking shines a bright light on a dark moment. Hit play to listen!

And at the top of the episode, our hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson discuss the latest UK fringe conservative rumblings of the “Net Zero Scrutiny Group” and how recent populism movements are a wolf in sheeps clothing for communities who feel disenfranchised by politicians and global energy price fluctuations alike.

Plus! This week we have a special musical guest, “Ny Oh” with her song “Australia”. Stick around for that!

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Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

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Mentioned links from the episode:

LISTEN: Christiana guests on The Way Out Is In

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Thanks to our guest this week, Yuval Noah Harari

Yuval Harari

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Sapienship

2% More | Website

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The multi-talented, undeniable Ny Oh is our musical guest!

Ny Oh

Neon Gru

Spotify | BandCamp | YouTube

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

Instagram | Twitter

Tom Rivett-Carnac:

Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Paul Dickinson:

LinkedIn | Twitter

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Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

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138. Just Look Up! with Adam McKay Feb 10, 2022

Show notes

Today, an earth-shattering comet of an episode as Christiana, Tom and Paul talk to the phenomenally talented Adam McKay about his 4 time Oscar nominated film Don’t Look Up!

Writing and directing a comedy film about climate change is not a challenge for the faint hearted. Not only did Adam McKay take this challenge on, in doing so he created a tour-de-force which dominated global news feeds after its release, quickly took the position of 2nd most watched Netflix original and got EVERYONE talking about climate change.

Listen as he describes his journey of growing climate awareness, how he doesn’t think he will produce another piece of work that ISN’T about climate change, and the breaking news that France will be hosting its own series of ‘Just Look Up’ days as a result of the film.

The hosts are also super charged this week as they tackle the global energy crisis head on, taking us on a whistlestop tour of the major issues that are being played out against an ever increasingly tense geopolitical backdrop. Can gas ever be considered green? What are the implications of this crisis on a swift green energy transition and stability of net zero ambitions?

We think you’ll agree, we really did have it all this week didn’t we?

And! Stick around til the end because playing us out this week is the incredibly talented Sibusile Xaba with his single ‘Angisenalutho’.

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Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

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Mentioned links from the episode:

JOIN: Don’t Look Up’s Count Us In Initiative! (And bring a friend!)

READ: What if Climate Change Were Like a Comet? By Emily Atkin of HEATED

WATCH: Rowanbank’s Positive Imaginings Films

LISTEN: The Last Podcast Ever Made: A Don’t Look Up Podcast

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Thanks to our guest this week, Adam McKay!

Adam McKay

Writer | Director | Producer

Twitter

HyperObject

Twitter

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The fantastic Sibusile Xaba is this week’s musical guest!

Sibusile Xaba

Instagram | Facebook | BandCamp | YouTube | Twitter

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

Instagram | Twitter

Tom Rivett-Carnac:

Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Paul Dickinson:

LinkedIn | Twitter

—

Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

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Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

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137. We're Back! Welcome to Season 5 Feb 03, 2022

Show notes

How do we know what we’re doing is really helping?

What should we do now that the world is changing?

A slow, intentional beginning to a new year after a racing finish to the last one raises some big questions for all of us in the climate space. This week, Christiana, Tom, and Paul set out the big topics for the year leading up to COP27. Yes, another one.

Shifting long term pledges to short term deliverables. Moving financial institutions from high carbon assets to low carbon assets. Getting the data points that move the needle on reducing emissions on the desks of central governments- Solid, concrete, ambitious NDCs driven by the innovation and flexibility of the private sector is how we will prove ourselves to a Net Zero future.

Listen in to hear how Christiana lays out how our Self-interest, with a capital “S”, is the key to unlocking our true collective potential.

Welcome to Season 5!

Stick around for an intimate and cozy musical performance from Lilo!

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Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

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Mentioned links from the episode:

LISTEN: Overthinking IT by Willow (Paul’s recommendation)

WATCH: Joy

READ: The Book of Joy

LISTEN: The Deep Time Walk O+O Episode

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The incredible Lilo is our musical guest this week!

Lilo

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Music

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

Instagram | Twitter

Tom Rivett-Carnac:

Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Paul Dickinson:

LinkedIn | Twitter

—

Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

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136. The Deep Time Walk with Stephan Harding Feb 01, 2022

Show notes

*This episode is best enjoyed on a pair of headphones or quality speaker system

Welcome to Season 5!

We have a special season opener for you- An immersive sound journey through the history of Gaia, as told by Dr. Stephan Harding. Normally on the podcast we engage full-heartedly in the political, social, and economic debate surrounding everything climate, but today we set aside the time to sit comfortably, relax, and learn to “walk well into the life of Gaia” as Stephan puts it. Stephan has had a massive influence on the climate movement in the way of inspiring global leaders to shift their world view of life to a Gaian view of life. We have the privilege of sharing an exercise of that shift with all of you.

But just before we go on this meditation together, we are taking a mindful breath as we acknowledge the passing of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. He was a global spiritual leader, poet, and an environmental and peace activist, known for his powerful teachings and bestselling writings on mindfulness and peace. Christiana, at the top of the episode, shares a few beautiful words about him and how grateful we are to have such influential teachers in our life. Our hearts are with the Plum Village and all the Sanghas around the world who are continuing Thich Nhat Hanh’s incredible legacy and teachings.

It is in this spirit of deep gratitude and stubborn optimism for the continuation of our teachers that we offer you this audio journey of The Deep Time Walk.

Enjoy!

—

Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

—

Mentioned links from the episode:

READ: Zen and The Art of Saving The Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh

LISTEN: The Way Out is In Podcast (A Podcast Co-Produced by Global Optimism)

DOWNLOAD: The Deep Time Walk App

CHECK OUT: The Deep Time Walk Field Kit

LEARN MORE: Deep Time Walk Project

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Thank you to our guest this week, Dr. Stephan Harding!

Dr. Stephan Harding

Deep Ecology Research Fellow | Senior Lecturer in Holistic Science

Author of Animate Earth and Gaia Alchemy

LINKS:

Schumacher College

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Deep Time Walk

Website

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

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Tom Rivett-Carnac:

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Paul Dickinson:

LinkedIn | Twitter

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Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

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135. No Substitute For Nature with Zac Goldsmith Dec 20, 2021

Show notes

There’s no pathway to capping our global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius without protecting and restoring nature.

That’s the lay of the land according to The Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith, Minister for the Pacific and the International Environment - our final guest for 2021. At the close of a year that’s seen enormous momentum to incorporate forests and land use well and truly into the climate agenda, Lord Goldsmith shares insights into the context and his vision for the next twelve months.

So, where do we stand now? Among the remarkable outcomes of COP26 was a commitment to halting and reversing forest loss and land degradation by 2030. Signed by 141 countries, the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forest and Land Use covers an incredible 90 percent of global forest. We also saw meaningful progress at this year’s Convention on Biological Diversity in Kunming. And the direction of travel? Our ultimate challenge and goal, Lord Goldsmith says, is to reconcile our economy with our natural world – and now has to be the turning point.

So! Join us for a reflection on some major moments on the podcast this past year and a look into this turning point moment. Can we reduce emissions by 7% each consecutive year from here on out?

And - we have a holiday-themed song this year as our last song of the season! A special acoustic performance of “It’s Christmas” by Callum Beattie. Stick around for it!

Thank you for a great season!

—

Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

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Mentioned links from the episode:

Read: Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration On Forests and Land Use

Donate: Steps To Hope

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Thank you to our guest this week:

Zac Goldsmith (Rt Hon Lord)

Minister for the Pacific and the International Environment

Twitter

UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Twitter | LinkedIn

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Twitter | LinkedIn

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Callum Beattie is our musical guest!

Callum Beattie

DONATE: Steps To Hope

Steps To Hope

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Donate

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

Instagram | Twitter

Tom Rivett-Carnac:

Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Paul Dickinson:

LinkedIn | Twitter

—

Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

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134. Shifting Mindsets and Systems with Jennifer Morgan Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

In this week’s episode we continue our series debriefing COP26 and take a look at the climate movement for their perspective on the outcomes of the Glasgow Climate Pact. Staying optimistic and fighting for climate justice - because indeed our lives depend on it - is a rightful approach to the conversation. And yet, the clock is ticking. What’s the reality behind fast-tracking our path to only a 1.5 world?

Today, we talk to Jennifer Morgan, Executive Director at Greenpeace International, who joins us to discuss how shifting mindsets and systems are crucial in finding alternative development models and dismantling systems of oppression.

Jennifer lays out how we can rebuild trust between those on the proverbial “inside” and “outside”. Because, whilst we have seen a huge coming together of stakeholders, movements and mindsets, this conversation focuses on understanding why we hear some voices proclaim a historic and generational win, while others voice a more depleted and disappointed point of view at the lack of urgency and responsibility by those in positions of power. The reality is that both are true.

Join us in piecing together the puzzle and understanding deeper our role in the movement as a podcast.

And don’t miss IDER, our musical artist with their song, BORED- a song born out of frustration at the profit structures behind corporate power and false advertising.

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Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

—

Mentioned links from the episode:

From Paul: A Climate of Concern (“When Shell was Greenpeace”)

From Paul: Lawsuit - The People of California vs Big Oil

DONATE: Greenpeace International

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Thank you to our guest this week:

Jennifer Morgan | Executive Director of Greenpeace International

Twitter | LinkedIn

Greenpeace

Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn

DONATE to Greenpeace

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The incredible Ider is our musical guest this week!

Ider

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

Instagram | Twitter

Tom Rivett-Carnac:

Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Paul Dickinson:

LinkedIn | Twitter

—

Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

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Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

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133. Innovative Finance to Fast-Forward Climate Solutions with Hiro Mizuno Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

COP26 saw announcement after announcement from the financial sector, but we have questions. First off, why the sudden wake-up? What will follow? And, critically, will it be enough to address the climate crisis?

Here to help us make sense of the fast-moving developments is Hiro Mizuno, Special Envoy of U.N Secretary-General on Innovative Finance and Sustainable Investments. Hiro shares his deep insights into the financial landscape since the shift towards recognition of the systemic risk posed by the climate crisis.

Reaching back to the Industrial Revolution, Hiro talks us through the role of the finance industry in accelerating change. Financial institutions’ competitive nature may well drive their transition to net-zero business models and portfolios – but it’ll be the next twelve months that prove the worth of the COP26 announcements, Hiro reminds us.

Covering regulation, GFANZ, public trust, carbon pricing, and much more, this is a wide-ranging conversation not to be missed.

—

Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

—

Thank you to our guest this week, Hiro Mizuno!

Hiro Mizuno

Special Envoy of U.N Secretary-General | Innovative Finance + Sustainable Investments

Twitter

United Nations

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

SDGs

Twitter | Instagram

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

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Tom Rivett-Carnac:

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Paul Dickinson:

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Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

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Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

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132. Getting Over The Line at COP26 with Alok Sharma Dec 09, 2021

Show notes

Countries have stepped up. Projected emission trajectories have come down. But let’s be real for a moment- We are still not doing enough, fast enough. So what did this year's host of the COP26 get right, and what is still in play as we prepare for COP27? Today we talk with Alok Sharma, President of COP26 and the man in the spotlight of the Glasgow negotiations just a few weeks back.

As Alok takes us back through his experience at COP26 keeping 1.5°C front and center, the grounding truth of how The Glasgow Pact directly impacts the lives and livelihoods of millions of people becomes crystal clear. In this episode we hear from his perspective how fighting climate change must be both a personal experience and global effort, and how building trust was a precious commodity in the discussions, holding the key to all the parties mutually agreeing to get an agreement over the line.

But, how is this hard-earned political trust perceived outside the negotiation halls? It seems an increasingly challenging task to ensure that this is communicated in a digestible way to all the stakeholders working tirelessly for the phasing out of fossil fuels, climate justice, adaptation, as well as loss and damage.

Listen in to discover the presidency’s plans on how to ensure that no small piece of the process allows it all to tumble down like a big jenga tower.

And stick around after the conversation for a cinematic musical experience with Sarah Class!

—

Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

—

Mentioned links from the episode:

WATCH: Sister True Dedication’s TED Talk

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Thank you to our guest this week, the Right Honorable Alok Sharma MP!

Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP

COP26 President

Twitter | Instagram

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Sarah Class is our musical guest this week!

Sarah Class

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

WATCH: ‘Resonate’ Official Music Video

DONATE: The World Land Trust

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

Instagram | Twitter

Tom Rivett-Carnac:

Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Paul Dickinson:

LinkedIn | Twitter

—

Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

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131. Being Smartly Selfish is Selfless with President Carlos Alvarado Dec 02, 2021

Show notes

¡Feliz Día de la Abolición del Ejército en Costa Rica!

Happy Military Abolition Day in Costa Rica!

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!

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?

May we all be more like Costa Rica!

And! Stick around ‘til the end for a soulful tune from musical artist Bobby Bazini!

—

Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

—

Mentioned links from the episode:

Listen: The Way Out Is In Podcast

Thank you to our guest this week:

Carlos Alvarado Quesada

President | Costa Rica

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter