History of Cuba
Brief Overview
Historically, Cuba had been able to maintain relatively low levels of environmental destruction because of its low population density and has supported high levels of endemism due to its isolation as an island. In recent centuries however, challenges to the environment have largely escalated amidst modest efforts to protect the forests.
Pre-20th Century: Colonialism
Spanish colonialism introduced invasive species and brought new diseases to Cuban shores. Many native species struggled to adapt to the influx of new species; a variety of endemic animals went extinct as a result. Throughout the centuries following European invasion, Cuba’s environment was further compromised by habitat destruction and pollution that came with increased population, Spanish demand for crops and timber, and industrialization. Spain made Cuba a hub for sugar, tobacco, and coffee production. Monoculture agriculture associated with these products caused mass deforestation.
1900-1959: American Influence
The first half of the 20th century was characterized by the influx of American capitalistic practices. The United States made big investments in the sugar and tobacco production of Cuba. Deforestation and environmental degradation were at its peak.
1959-1991: Forests Comeback?
One of the key phases in Cuba’s environmental history corresponded with the major shift in the nation’s politics: The Revolution of 1959 and subsequent US embargo. While the embargo greatly undermined Cuba’s capitalism and economic development, the effects on the environment were generally on the favorable side. Stunted capitalism meant that heavy industry took a backseat, although an alliance with the Soviet Union helped continue industrial practices to some degree. The embargo also brought a deprivation of tourists; Cuba was spared from having to set up hotels and tourist resorts that are detrimental to the wildlife, but the prospects of earning conservation funds from ecotourism were also decreased. During this time, environmentally conservative policies were enacted and Fidel Castro implemented a reforestation program. The results of this program were mixed, however, as poor plantation management and low seed quality. Furthermore, protected areas were first introduced and legal agencies were created to address environmental issues. However, the results of these efforts were also underwhelming, as the agencies did not have any power to implement specific programs.
1991-Present: “Special Period”
With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba was forced to find ways to be more self-subsistent. There was a greater push to let environmental well-being fall by the wayside in order to exploit the resources and find economic profit. Cuba set out on establishing more opportunities for ecotourism to supplement its economy. Today, Cuba is at a critical point in its environmental history. A need to develop economically is threatening environmental sustainability, and the impending end of the US embargo means that the number of tourists in the near future could skyrocket. Most environmental experts believe the effects of a meteoric rise in tourism will be more negative than positive. Looking into the future, Cuba must find a sustainable way to increase the living standards of its people while preserving the forests that make Cuba such a diverse and species-rich country.
Historically, Cuba had been able to maintain relatively low levels of environmental destruction because of its low population density and has supported high levels of endemism due to its isolation as an island. In recent centuries however, challenges to the environment have largely escalated amidst modest efforts to protect the forests.
Pre-20th Century: Colonialism
Spanish colonialism introduced invasive species and brought new diseases to Cuban shores. Many native species struggled to adapt to the influx of new species; a variety of endemic animals went extinct as a result. Throughout the centuries following European invasion, Cuba’s environment was further compromised by habitat destruction and pollution that came with increased population, Spanish demand for crops and timber, and industrialization. Spain made Cuba a hub for sugar, tobacco, and coffee production. Monoculture agriculture associated with these products caused mass deforestation.
1900-1959: American Influence
The first half of the 20th century was characterized by the influx of American capitalistic practices. The United States made big investments in the sugar and tobacco production of Cuba. Deforestation and environmental degradation were at its peak.
1959-1991: Forests Comeback?
One of the key phases in Cuba’s environmental history corresponded with the major shift in the nation’s politics: The Revolution of 1959 and subsequent US embargo. While the embargo greatly undermined Cuba’s capitalism and economic development, the effects on the environment were generally on the favorable side. Stunted capitalism meant that heavy industry took a backseat, although an alliance with the Soviet Union helped continue industrial practices to some degree. The embargo also brought a deprivation of tourists; Cuba was spared from having to set up hotels and tourist resorts that are detrimental to the wildlife, but the prospects of earning conservation funds from ecotourism were also decreased. During this time, environmentally conservative policies were enacted and Fidel Castro implemented a reforestation program. The results of this program were mixed, however, as poor plantation management and low seed quality. Furthermore, protected areas were first introduced and legal agencies were created to address environmental issues. However, the results of these efforts were also underwhelming, as the agencies did not have any power to implement specific programs.
1991-Present: “Special Period”
With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba was forced to find ways to be more self-subsistent. There was a greater push to let environmental well-being fall by the wayside in order to exploit the resources and find economic profit. Cuba set out on establishing more opportunities for ecotourism to supplement its economy. Today, Cuba is at a critical point in its environmental history. A need to develop economically is threatening environmental sustainability, and the impending end of the US embargo means that the number of tourists in the near future could skyrocket. Most environmental experts believe the effects of a meteoric rise in tourism will be more negative than positive. Looking into the future, Cuba must find a sustainable way to increase the living standards of its people while preserving the forests that make Cuba such a diverse and species-rich country.
Current Affairs of Western Cuba
Western Cuba –Pinar del Rio
Overview
Pinar del Rio is the westernmost providence of Cuba, characterized by its environmental beauty in the
form of big limestone mountains (mogotes), fertile valleys, dry forests, and beaches. The economy of the region –which is critical to the economy of the nation as a whole- is based around tobacco agriculture and ecotourism. Tropical dry forests are the environment of choice for tobacco cultivation because of their fertile soils, while the outdoor adventure opportunities make thisprovidence one of the most famous areas in Cuba for tourists.
Tobacco
Vinales Valley is known for producing some of the best tobacco in the world and the commonly referenced “Cuban cigars”. While many traditional techniques are still in use by local Cuban farmers, the tobacco producing process still poses significant risks to the tropical dry forests of the area. Tobacco cultivation brings many challenges to the environmental; the cultivating process requires the use of a wide array of pesticides, which often end up entrenched in the soil, spreading through rivers and waterways, or permeating through the food chain. The curing of tobacco also requires logging for wood, which contributes to deforestation in many developing countries. Deforestation is also sometimes necessary to clear space for more plantations. The tropical dry forests in western Cuba are therefore threatened not only by the pesticides that degrade the overall environment, but also by the logging that directly impacts the forest.
Tourism
Within the mogotes and tobacco plantations of Pinar del Rio rests Vinales Valley, which was designated a World heritage site
in 1999 for its aesthetic and agricultural value. Vinales Valley is a major destination for tourists from all over the world who interested in rock climbing
and hiking. The area is also known for a wide variety of endemic plants and animals.
Overview
Pinar del Rio is the westernmost providence of Cuba, characterized by its environmental beauty in the
form of big limestone mountains (mogotes), fertile valleys, dry forests, and beaches. The economy of the region –which is critical to the economy of the nation as a whole- is based around tobacco agriculture and ecotourism. Tropical dry forests are the environment of choice for tobacco cultivation because of their fertile soils, while the outdoor adventure opportunities make thisprovidence one of the most famous areas in Cuba for tourists.
Tobacco
Vinales Valley is known for producing some of the best tobacco in the world and the commonly referenced “Cuban cigars”. While many traditional techniques are still in use by local Cuban farmers, the tobacco producing process still poses significant risks to the tropical dry forests of the area. Tobacco cultivation brings many challenges to the environmental; the cultivating process requires the use of a wide array of pesticides, which often end up entrenched in the soil, spreading through rivers and waterways, or permeating through the food chain. The curing of tobacco also requires logging for wood, which contributes to deforestation in many developing countries. Deforestation is also sometimes necessary to clear space for more plantations. The tropical dry forests in western Cuba are therefore threatened not only by the pesticides that degrade the overall environment, but also by the logging that directly impacts the forest.
Tourism
Within the mogotes and tobacco plantations of Pinar del Rio rests Vinales Valley, which was designated a World heritage site
in 1999 for its aesthetic and agricultural value. Vinales Valley is a major destination for tourists from all over the world who interested in rock climbing
and hiking. The area is also known for a wide variety of endemic plants and animals.