Protecting Cubaâs Environment: Efforts to Design and Implement Effective Environmental Laws and Policies in Cuba

摘要: IntroductionCuba is frequently referred to as the ecological crown jewel of Caribbean, with more than 3,000 miles coastline, spectacular coral reefs, massive mangrove wetlands, tropical wet forests, coastal mountains, caves, and rich biodiversity unmatched in region. Long stretches coastline remain undeveloped shallow ocean waters around island harbor marine diversity that unparalleled hemisphere.1 Increasingly, many remaining natural areas, both terrestrial marine, are being protected under country's National System Protected Areas, prompting some refer Cuba an "ecological bastion" "biological superpower Caribbean."2 But despite scenic beauty its relatively abundant resources, suffering from 200 years environmental degradation caused by exploitation minerals other deforestation, lack pollution abatement, intensive sugar production processing, poor farming land use practices. Environmental neglect occurred before 1959 was not adequately addressed 1960s problems intensified when embraced so-called "Green Revolution," era ushered intensive, industrial-scale agriculture heavy chemical fertilizers.3 In 1997, at direction top government leaders, new Ministry Science, Technology, Environment (CITMA) published Strategy,4 which described severe still plaguing country hampering economic development. The list included extensive soil erosion, inland water pollution, increasing loss biodiversity, sanitation cities rural areas. Officials also recognized potential for restoring systems mitigating existing compromised a suite emerging threats, especially those associated rapid expansion tourism industry fragile areas.5The future Cuba's environment, prospects developing economy manner compatible quality resources conservation, center growing international debate among academics, scientists, officials, conservation organizations, others. Few dispute richness environment or challenges reversing long history neglect.6 present instead focuses on whether will be able achieve meaningful levels protection while it hurting economically isolated politically. Cuban has developed modern sophisticated plan sustainable development started using it. question now leaders can do what takes put ground. Or, spite new, far-reaching laws, subordinate goals priorities like so countries have done?Much commentary this proceeds narrowly along ideological grounds, neither adequate analysis laws policies adopted over past decade nor objective assessment practical any faces building implementing entirely regime. Some argue socialist system, practice, been premised upon "conquest subjugation environment" model used - practiced former Soviet Union Eastern Bloc resulted widespread due overemphasis export commodities.7 These critics recent public embrace insincere implement laws. …