The ongoing energy and food crisis in Cuba has driven countless families to cut down trees for cooking purposes. This desperate measure comes as a response to lengthy power outages, sometimes lasting up to 20 hours a day, and extended interruptions in the supply of liquefied gas. As reported by the Food Monitor Program (FMP), many households have resorted to creating makeshift stoves using old furniture or directly turning to tree felling, a practice spreading across rural and suburban areas.
The high cost of charcoal, which exceeds the minimum pension, has made it inaccessible for many, forcing them to seek alternative fuel sources. The observatory warns of the severe environmental impact caused by this practice, highlighting the loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, prolonged droughts, and increased emissions of pollutants.
The Environmental and Ethical Dilemma
"How can we ask a family not to cut down a tree if the alternative is to go hungry?" questions the report, presenting an ethical dilemma that intricately links food insecurity with environmental destruction and deforestation. FMP reminds us that this pattern is not unique to Cuba. During gas and electricity shortages in Venezuela, massive deforestation was documented, even in critical watersheds.
In Cuba, the situation poses a threat to forest reserves and fragile ecosystems in a country known for its high levels of endemic flora and fauna. The organization also criticizes the government's lack of action, recalling that as far back as 2019, authorities encouraged cooking with wood as a "patriotic solution." Today, this practice has become commonplace, representing a decline in the quality of life for millions of Cubans and posing an environmental risk that is challenging to reverse.
Cuban Families Demand Government Action
In the midst of this crisis, Cuban mothers are calling for solutions from the government. Burdened by daily struggles, they face the harsh reality of cooking with wood, insisting that their children cannot go without meals. FMP urges the government to implement policies that ensure access to clean energy and reforestation programs, warning that a society that feeds itself at the expense of its environment undermines its future foundations.
FAQ: Understanding Cuba's Energy and Environmental Crisis
What is causing the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is primarily due to prolonged power outages and interruptions in the supply of liquefied gas, forcing many to seek alternative fuel sources like wood.
How is tree felling affecting Cuba's environment?
Tree felling is causing significant environmental damage, including loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and increased emissions of pollutants, which contribute to prolonged droughts.
What solutions are being proposed to address the crisis?
FMP suggests implementing policies that provide access to clean energy and reforestation programs to address both the energy and environmental crises.