Film Will Continue Library’s Series on Transition Towns

Submitted release 

Canton Public Library continues its program series on Transition Towns with a film about the power of community as illustrated by a particularly challenging period in Cuba’s history. The film begins at 1:30 PM on Saturday, February 11.

When a community comes under extreme duress, drastic measures are called for.  Such was the case when, in 1990 the Soviet Union collapsed and Cuba lost access to half its oil and 90% of its food.  The country’s response was revolutionary.  Cuban citizens were forced to transform their culture into one that emphasized sustainability.  No longer could the country rely on a highly mechanized, industrialized agricultural system; rather, citizens had to transition to one based on local (sometimes urban) gardens and organic methods of gardening.

The film begins with a brief history of “peak oil,” which refers to a time when the world-wide production of oil will have reached its peak output, after which production will decline as the non-renewable oil reserves are depleted.        Cuba’s response to its sudden and extreme reduction of oil is an object lesson for all of us who continue to rely on fossil fuels as though there is no end to their availability.

The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil was produced by the Arthur Morgan Institute for Community Solutions, a non-profit organization that designs and teaches low-energy solutions to the current unsustainable, fossil fuel-based, industrialized, and centralized way of living.  The film, which was released 2006,  was the winnerof the People’s Choice Award for Best International Film at the Aotearoa Environmental Film Festival.  

For those concerned about our dependence on fossil fuels, the film is an insightful and hopeful example of how community can address seemingly insurmountable challenges. And for those curious about our neighbor to the south, the film highlights the hard work, flexibility, and resourcefulness of a people.

Attendance at the film is free; registration is requested.  Canton Public Library is at 40 Dyer Avenue, Canton.  For information:  (860) 693-5800 or www.cantonpubliclibrary.org