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This film focuses on Cuba's
transition from an industrial petroleum-based society to a sustainable
society, as a result of their loss of petroleum when their source, the
Soviet Union, collapsed. With less than 2 weeks notice, Cubans were faced
with a 90% reduction in petroleum based products. With no food being
delivered to stores because of fuel shortages for transportation, on
average most Cubans lost 20 lbs. Lawns and public parks were turned into
vegetable gardens.
This era of Cuban history is
called The Special Period a time which radically transformed the Cuban
society and economy, as it necessitated the successful introduction of
sustainable agriculture, decreased use of automobiles, and overhauls of
industry, health, and diet. Relocalization, permaculture, and innovative
modes of mass transit had to be rapidly
developed.
"Everyone who is concerned
about Peak
Oil needs to see this film. Cuba
survived an energy famine during the 1990's, and how it did so constitutes
one of the most important and hopeful stories of the past not just of
individual achievement, but one of the collective mobilization of an
entire society to meet an enormous challenge."
Richard Heinberg, author of The
Party's Over,
Powerdown |
