How Cuba survived their Addiction to Oil

“The soil takes millions of years to form, and to destroy - it takes very little time.” -Miguel Salcines

Miguel Salcines is the garden administrator for the Organipónico de Alamar, a 0.7-hectare farm in a Havana suburb. It is one of the most successful urban organic farms in Cuba and is run by a worker’s collective.

Documentary : The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
http://www.powerofcommunity.org

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba's economy went into a tailspin. With imports of oil cut by more than half – and food by 80 percent – people were desperate. This film tells of the hardships and struggles as well as the community and creativity of the Cuban people during this difficult time. Cubans share how they transitioned from a highly mechanized, industrial agricultural system to one using organic methods of farming and local, urban gardens. It is an unusual look into the Cuban culture during this economic crisis, which they call "The Special Period." The film opens with a short history of Peak Oil, a term for the time in our history when world oil production will reach its all-time peak and begin to decline forever. Cuba, the only country that has faced such a crisis – the massive reduction of fossil fuels – is an example of options and hope.

Megan Quinn of The Community Solution discusses her visit to Cuba, and the movie "The Power of Community". This young woman sees Peak Oil as an opportunity to create the communities we want, but notes that we must reduce our consumption despite environmentalists' assurances that biofuels will save us.

The Documentary on You-Tube
Part 1 http://youtube.com/watch?v=rsnuTb4V9Qo

Part 2 http://youtube.com/watch?v=IwfTSKKThNs

Part 3 http://youtube.com/watch?v=AOnCiFT0x8I

Part 4 http://youtube.com/watch?v=Gt03SSLRXco

Part 5 http://youtube.com/watch?v=7mYEj0Zxi4A

Part 6 http://youtube.com/watch?v=r2ieJWdGZ08