After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990, oil imports were severely cut to Cuba.  As a result, the economy went into a freefall.  Growing food became the priority and the average Cuban lost 20 lbs in a couple years.  What will the effect be as world oil production begins to decline in earnest over the next 5 years?

After watching the video, I would say the average Cuban probably has a better quality of life than the average American.  They have organic, healthy food.  They work in community and know their neighbors.  They are active and are in better health.  Government provides education and health care locally.  To the world it looks like they took a step back (demodernized) however their quality of life seems to have taken a step forward.

Here is a description of the movie on Google Video:

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

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