Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 3.13
Straw-bale house
in Akiu Sendai
Thus in this chapter I point to some of the fundamental problems faced by cur-
rent generations as we consider the future and its sustainability, and also point to
some of the existing theories and technical approaches which exist. Sustainability
is the most important issue for human society, and so it would be useful to have
examples of how this can be achieved. In this context, much attention has been
given to Bhutan and the measures of Gross National Happiness index which is used
instead of GDP (Fig.
3.14
).
Another example might be Cuba which has also attracted attention for its success
in achieving a high level of sustainability under a difficult situation. Cuba's popula-
tion is 1/10 of Japan, its area is half of the Japanese mainland, its GDP per head is
1/10 of Japan, but as indicated in Fig.
3.5
, Cuba succeeds in combining a high HDI
with low environmental impact, and can thus be seen as one of the most sustainable
countries in the world. In particular, Cuba stands out from other countries in Latin
America in education standards, which is attributed to the priority afforded by the
Cuban government to education even when Cuba was in severe economic difficul-
ties. Infant mortality is also low, with Cuba achieving levels normally associated
with advanced countries such as Japan or USA even though per capita income is
one tenth or less.
These desirable outcomes are despite the crises in energy and industry due to the
breakup of the Soviet Union and economic embargoes by the USA. The collapse
of oil imports and electricity failures caused unemployment to rise as far as 40 %;
and GDP was reduced to 48 % of its former level. A food crisis due to agricultural
damage was also severe; for example, caloric intake of citizens decreased by 40 %.
Cuba thus had to turn to intermediate technologies and social priorities to achieve
high levels of sustainability, education and medical care.
Three examples of the measures to support this transition are:
Urban organic agriculture
: in difficult periods, people helped feed themselves
by urban organic agriculture. Vegetables and fruits were raised in “Organopónicos”
set up in urban areas using partitions made of waste materials. The ways of farming
