I was fascinated by Cuba’s ability to adapt to the incredible
challenges presented by the US trade blockade and the collapse of the Soviet
Union.
The trade blockade cut Cuba off from most of the developed
world and severely limited access to American technologies and resources necessary
for a modern society. For example, any vessel that enters Cuba’s harbors cannot
enter the US for six months. This restricts imports of goods from any potential
trade partner who also has agreements with the US.
After the Eastern Bloc disbanded and the flow of cheap oil
and fertilizers ceased, Cuba avoided a large-scale humanitarian crisis by responding
with inventiveness and progressive social policies. The National Energy Sources
Development program promoted domestic energy production and moved vital
services such as hospitals, clinics and schools off the grid and powered by
solar energy.[1]
The Energy Saving Program promoted energy education and efficiency. Officials
distributed millions of compact fluorescent light bulbs in the countryside, replaced
inefficient appliances and implemented a new energy tax on households using
more than 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh).[2]
Urban gardens sprouted in all arable
city land and farmers used oxen to plough fields fertilized with organic
nutrients. In a true show of survival and adaptive capacity, Cuba emerged from
the Special Period and is now exporting its knowledge of resilience and
reducing energy consumption to other Latin American countries.
In addition to these official government polices the Cuban
people also demonstrated their ability to carry on in everyday life under
certain times. While we toured the country, there were many examples of how
resource constraint triggered personal ingenuity and material reuse. During the
trip I was equally inspired by reading Upcycle, by
William McDonough, who designed the School of International Service building. McDonough
says the goal of Upcycle is a “delightfully diverse, safe, healthy and just
world with clean air, water, soil and power – economically, equitably,
ecologically and elegantly enjoyed.” He channels design fixes and repurposing
products for endless uses in a never ending material life cycle. For me, Cuba
had the beginnings of such a design shift but it was due to austerity measures
and availability issues and not through market forces as is being advocated in
the US.
I recorded a number of creative ways Cubans repurposed items.
The exercise facilities filled coke bottles with sand to use as weights in the
gym, 60 year old cars were preserved and continually fixed, fresh juice was
served in water bottles, old military trucks repurposed to pick up hitchhikers (encouraged
by the state), the glaring lack of plastic and excess packaging, plants grown
in old plastic containers and I would even put giving rides to hitchhikers on
the back of bikes down as a repurpose. I know there a many other examples of
Cubans reusing items or going without. I still haven’t figured out what the
spare full engines laying on the sidewalks were used for?
In order to successfully manage the threats climate change
presents and preserve a livable planet for generations to come; a shift away
from consumer culture is imperative. Cuba is already detached from globalized
trade and devoid of consumer culture. Through the “new man” psyche
promoted by Che Guevara, the country also has experience with the inner spiritual
change that is necessary. In order to demonstrate that a sustainable society is
possible in unstable times, in my paper I argued Cuba should embrace its
cultural and historical strengths and commit to a revolutionary transition.
I was impressed by Cuban ingenuity and resourcefulness because
of the throw-away culture prevalent in America. Here, things are disposable because
a cheap replacement is readily available. We have no real connection to
anything because our material experiences are fleeting and do not demonstrate a
value worth preserving. Furthermore, because so many goods and services are available
within my means of purchase, what discernible “real world” skills do I have? In
the event of a substantial global trade disruption which breaks commodity
chains and halts the flow of cheap fossil fuel energy, how would I fare compared
with the everyday Cuban?
For perspective, I don’t know how to fix a car so hopefully
I live close to work and family, my plants are under productive because I've
been too busy to water them this week, my clothes were tailored in South East
Asia, fracked natural gas scrabbled my eggs this morning and a coal fired power
plant charged my computer. I don’t personally know any blacksmiths, seamstresses,
shoe repairmen, mechanics or organic farmers. You are a sustainability pioneer
in America if you bring your own bags to the supermarket and bike commute. In
Cuba you were an average citizen if your caloric intake was halved, and you had
to move in with your two generations of your family in the 1990s. If we want to
face the facts of what prospering in a climate changed world requires and live
within the ecological limits of the planet – Cuba was certainly an inspiring
trip.
Thanks to everyone who
responded to my email about repurposed products and Erica who sent me this
article on Cuban creativity.
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