[Via... http://www.egroups.com/group/Communist-Internet ] . . ----- Original Message ----- From: John Clancy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <overflow: ;> Cc: <blindmice: ;> Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2001 2:02 PM Subject: [Cuba SI] Planet: Cuba strengthens its Environmental Agenda from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subject: Granma: Cuba strengthens its environmental agenda. Delivered-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: "CubaNews" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> From: "Walter Lippmann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2001 Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [CubaNews] Cuba strengthens environmental agenda In the midst of an economic crisis, Cuba strengthens its environmental agenda BY LILLIAM RIERA Granma International staff writer A sword of Damocles, the Shakespearean dilemma of "To be or not to be," hangs ; now more than ever over life on Earth, whose fragile ecosystems, resources and natural processes are threatened by desertification, deforestation, climate changes, the destruction of biological diversity and the population boom. Although it is important to reflect on the situation, this alone is not enough to solve the problem. As President Fidel Castro said in the Rio Summit in 1992, "Tomorrow will be too late to do what we should have done a long time ago." Willingness to help and a sense of responsibility; from nation to nation, person to person and between humans and all other forms of life ; in order to act effectively must be the priority of the new millennium. In his message for June 5, World Environment Day, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that it would be difficult but not impossible to make the right decisions and stressed that we already have advanced technology to halt the squandering and destruction and create a more stable base for our economies. However, he confirmed that it is not knowledge or scientific research, but rather economic and political factors that determine whether the information that has been gained in our laboratories and libraries will be put into practice or not. Cuba is not stuck at the reflection stage. Even during the most difficult phase of the special period, along with the tightening of the U.S. blockade, the country has strengthened its environmental agenda. For good reason, Cuba was chosen as the main venue for World Environment Day, and this June 5 will be celebrated with important achievements towards solving or preventing our main environmental problems and a pledge to keep reinforcing and promoting an increasingly sustainable development. Cuba is the first country in the Caribbean and the third in Latin America (after Brazil and Mexico) to have been granted a distinction by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), proof of the support is this sphere not just from the government, but also from political, mass and non-governmental organizations. Cuba has worked in this field for more than 20 years and has been able to detain and even reverse deforestation in the country, especially in mountain areas, at a time when the planet is losing 130,000 square kilometers of woodland. According to historical statistics, in 1492, the year that Christopher Columbus "discovered" Cuba, more than 90% of the island was covered in woodland; in 1902 this figure had fallen to 54% and by 1959 it had fallen again to 14%, due to the development of sugar industry, agriculture and animal breeding with little concern for ecological factors. Gisela Alonso, president of the Environmental Agency, reported that part of this woodland has now been regenerated and coverage now stands at 27%, with 28% predicted for 2015. Another aspect of Cuba's environmental work is the education that the population is receiving, above all in communities located within valuable ecosystems, because if people do not understand nature they cannot care for it or protect it, much less improve the quality of life in these places. In addition 1,800 rural schools in mountainous zones have been fitted with solar energy systems, which will mean they will be part of the 30,000 that receive computers and other equipment, as they now have access to electricity. Cuba has the greatest biological diversity in the Caribbean, with six biosphere reserves and 81 national protected zones, where through rational planning, on-site conservation of these resources linked to world economic development is guaranteed. The measures implemented by various ministries and laws that have been established (among them the Environmental Infringement Law) have contributed to a reduction in contamination on the island from 9.7% in 1999 to 6.9% in 2000. This year a 7% reduction is predicted, according to Gisela Alonso. Another of Cuba's important environmental achievements is the fixed barrier that has been set up in Havana Bay to detain oil spillages. Last year the barrier aided in the achievement of a 50% reduction in pollution of the bay. Meanwhile, pollution in the capital's Almendares River has been reduced by 11%, thanks to the deactivation of 14 industrial plants. In regard to technological innovation, the replacement of equipment and chemical products with less aggressive substances in industry and agriculture has become a well-known practice. The use of new information technology is equally important to achieve efficiency and competitiveness. In Havana, for example, there are 159 research centers and 14 universities countrywide responsible for assessing the scientific work and innovations in some 600 companies. The island will celebrate World Environment Day every day and this year; hosting the day along with the Italian city of Turin; an innumerable number of cultural, sports, recreational and educational activities have been scheduled, with extensive participation from Cuban citizens. In honor of the event, Klaus Topfer, executive director of UNEP, and representatives of the United Nations agency, visited various locations throughout the country and took part in the main celebration held in the Cuban capital. " JC Cuba SI - Imperialism NO! Socialism or death! Patria o muerte! Venceremos! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cubasi Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
