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What Becomes of Cuba After the Embargo is Lifted?
A Critically Endangered Goliath Grouper greets a tourist photographer in Cuba’s Gardens of the Queen National Park. Environmental economics demonstrated that conservation and ecotourism would result in more revenue than commercial fishing. (Photo: David E. Guggenheim)
When a foreigner sets foot in Cuba, it immediately becomes clear that this magical island is profoundly unique and has developed drastically differently than any other country in Latin America and the Caribbean. And for those who venture into its verdant mountains or below its aquamarine waves, a striking revelation awaits: Just as the fifties-era Chevys and horse-drawn buggies portray an island seemingly frozen in time, so, too, do its exceptionally healthy and vibrant ecosystems illustrate that Cuba may have picked the perfect time in history not to follow the path of its neighbors. Indeed the past half century has seen a tragic and unprecedented decline in Caribbean coastal and marine ecosystems.
Read the full post at EcoWatch.com
Cuba Could Be Impacted by Gulf Oil Spill
Cuba’s Northwestern Coast Along the Gulf of Mexico
For the most up-to-date information on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill’s potential impacts on Cuba, please visit our special “Cuba at Risk” page.
Since its discovery of oil and natural gas reserves in the Florida straits, Cuba’s preparations for full-scale offshore oil and gas development has raised alarm in the United States, particularly in Florida where it is estimated that much of a catastrophic spill originating in Cuba would be swept by Gulf currents. Ironically, it is now Cuba that faces the threat of a massive oil spill by the United States. The disastrous oil spill from the BP Deepwater Horizon now threatens Cuba, the largest and most biologically diverse island in the Caribbean, due to those same Gulf currents. To make matters worse, the economic embargo imposed upon Cuba by the United States decades ago makes collaboration and coordination exceedingly difficult during this crisis. Read more
A Blueprint of Collaboration ? and Friendship ? with Cuba
 Nearly 60 representatives from Cuba, Mexico and the U.S. convened in Havana in October 2009 to finalize a "Plan of Action" for future collaboration in marine research and conservation focused in the Gulf of Mexico and Western Caribbean Sea |
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HAVANA, Cuba — On October 25-26, 2009 the third meeting of a growing partnership of U.S, Cuban and Mexican institutions dedicated to strengthening collaboration in marine research and conservation convened in Havana, Cuba and has resulted in the near-finalization of a new five-year “Plan of Action,” a blueprint for future collaboration. The ongoing effort, led by The Ocean Foundation, the Center for International Policy, the Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, and the Mexican Secretariat of the Navy has set the stage for an unprecedented level of collaboration among the three nations, including the creation of new projects and partnerships along with additional funding to support them. Read more
Historic Meeting Unites Cuba and the U.S., Taking Collaboration on Ocean Research & Conservation to a New Level
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CANCÚN, México — In a historic meeting co-organized and led by the Washington, DC-based Center for International Policy and the Harte Research Institute (HRI) for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, a group of 15 Cubans and 15 Americans met in Cancún, Mexico to develop a plan for taking joint marine research and conservation activities between the U.S. and Cuba to a new level. Collaboration between U.S. and Cuban scientists has been exceedingly difficult because of the decades-old U.S. embargo, even though research is a permitted activity and U.S. scientists are allowed to travel to Cuba. Complicated logistics and ever-changing politics have prevented all but a few U.S. institutions from successful collaborative projects in Cuba. Read more
Exploring, Studying Cuba’s Gulf of Mexico
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The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the University of Havana’s Center for Marine Research (CIM) [Centro de Investigaciones Marinas] are leading a collaborative effort, Proyecto Costa Noroccidental [Project of the Northwest Coast], a comprehensive multi-year research and conservation program for Cuba’s Gulf of Mexico coast. Dr. David E. Guggenheim, president of 1planet1ocean, is a member of HRI’s Advisory Council and also serves as HRI’s Cuba Programs Manager and is co-principal investigator of the project with Dr. Gaspar González Sansón of CIM. Read more
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In the News…
Upcoming and recent articles, radio/TV interviews, and event appearances featuring 1planet1ocean and/or Dr. David E. Guggenheim:
May 7: David Guggenheim to be Featured Speaker at 15th Anniversary Potomac Cruise for the Marine Fish Conservation Network. .Download Invitation (PDF)
April 20: “The New Green is Blue”- David Guggenheim featured on “Philadelphia Agenda,” WOGL/CBS Radio: 1planet1ocean president David E. Guggenheim was featured on “Philadelphia Agenda” with Brad Segall in a 30-minute interview about ocean conservation during Earth Month Listen Now!
Outside Magazine: Red is the New Green: Cuba’s Environmental Record by Patrick Symmes (March 2008)
Associated Press: “Mightier than the pen?: Fish farms on land are future… by Vicki Smith (March 2, 2008) Appears in the following (under various titles):
- The Charlston Gazette (Charlson, West Virginia)
- 8 News (Richmond, Virginia)
- The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Florida)
- Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia)
- Penn Live (Pennsylvania)
- Star News (Wilmington, North Carolina)
- The Times West Virginian
- The Tuscaloosa News (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
- Williamson Daily News (Williamson, West Virginia)
- WAVY TV 10 (Norfolk, Virginia)
MSNBC: Traveling in a Post-Fidel Cuba by Christopher Elliot (February 21, 2008)
Copley News Service: Ecotourism Tips: How to make your next vacation a green getaway by Chandra Orr (February 2008) [PDF]
The New York Times: Conserving Cuba, After the Embargo by Cornelia Dean (December 25, 2007)
National Geographic’s Green Guide: Fish Out of Ocean Water by Emily Main (July/August 2007 #121)
Media Advisory
Media Contact: David E. Guggenheim, president, 1planet1ocean
For Immediate Release: April 1, 2008
Dr. David E. Guggenheim, president of 1planet1ocean, will be available for interviews for these upcoming ocean-related dates:
June 5, 2008: World Environment Day (United Nations Environment Programme)
Suggested topic: The New Green is Blue: What the Oceans are Telling Us and Why it Matters.
June 8, 2008: World Ocean Day (Created in 1992 at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro)
Suggested topic: The New Green is Blue: What the Oceans are Telling Us and Why it Matters.
Broadcast quality (including HD) b-roll and high-resolution photos are available
Press Kit
Media Contact: David E. Guggenheim, president, 1planet1ocean
Speaking Engagements
Dr. David E. Guggenheim is an accomplished public speaker and is available to deliver keynote addresses to large audiences or informal talks to smaller groups.