Air Pollution In Cuba: Causes And Concerns

Cuba has been facing problems with air pollution, which has been causing approximately 2 million premature deaths annually. While ground pollution is not a significant issue in Cuba, air pollution is a serious concern, especially with the growing economy. Scientists in Cuba are now using a bottom-up approach to reduce the toxic effects of pollution, employing the latest scientific models to understand how air pollution spreads from major construction sites and power plants.

Construction sites and power plants

To mitigate these issues, it is essential to adopt sustainable practices, strict regulations, and innovative technologies. This includes using sustainable materials, recycling, and real-time air quality monitoring to ensure that construction activities do not compromise the air Cubans breathe.

Power plants in Cuba, particularly the large thermoelectric plants like Antonio Guiteras, also play a role in air pollution. These plants, which run on crude oil, experience frequent outages due to fuel shortages and aging infrastructure. The burning of crude oil releases pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to outdoor air pollution, which consists of chemicals, particulate matter, and biological materials.

Additionally, power plants in Cuba have been implicated in widespread blackouts, affecting the entire nation and leaving millions without electricity. These blackouts are caused by failures in old thermoelectric plants, further highlighting the need for infrastructure updates and sustainable practices to reduce air pollution and provide reliable electricity to the country.

Insufficient sharing of data and results

Cuba's air-monitoring infrastructure is not as advanced as that of other nations, and the implementation of AERMOD, a state-of-the-art predictive 'air quality' tool, has been slow. Leonor Turtos, a leader in the field, has pointed out that there is "insufficient sharing of data and results, which wastes resources and time". Turtos calls for improved support and coordination within Cuba for standards of pollution measurement and computer modelling. She and her colleague, Henry Ricardo, aim to develop an infrastructure akin to the UK Air Quality Monitoring Network, which enables the efficient transfer of data.

The AERMOD tool collects data on variables such as contaminant location, temperature, elevation, wind direction, wind speed, and cloud cover, using observations from the US Geological Survey. It creates an hourly-updated 'pollution map' that provides an overall picture of air quality in both rural and metropolitan areas. Turtos notes that at least five years of meteorological data is required to make an accurate model.

The integration of AERMOD with other earth science models is also being pursued. CALPUFF, a multi-layered system that simulates the dynamic effects of weather conditions on pollution, and the WRF model, which operates on scales from meters to thousands of kilometres, are two such examples. By combining these models, scientists will be able to observe the entire spectrum, from the smallest to the largest details.

The collaboration between Cuban and US scientists is notable, given the decades-long trade embargo between the two countries. However, the close geographic proximity of the nations makes this partnership logical and beneficial for both parties.

Trade embargo with the US

Cuba has been subjected to a comprehensive economic embargo by the United States since 1962. The sanctions were formalised by President John F. Kennedy, who banned all trade and financial transactions with the island unless licensed by the Treasury Department. This embargo was an expansion of President Eisenhower's initial sanctions, which cut off U.S. exports to Cuba, with exceptions for food and medicine.

The embargo has had a significant impact on Cuba's economy, with a 2021 estimate by the Cuban government finding that it has cost the country close to $144 billion. This figure has been acknowledged by the United Nations. The embargo has also contributed to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Cuba, with limits on remittances, travel, and trade affecting private entrepreneurs and small business owners.

The stated purpose of the embargo was to "bring about hunger, desperation, and the overthrow of [the Castro] government." It has been expanded and modified over the years by different U.S. administrations, with President Johnson implementing a multilateral policy of economic denial in 1964, further isolating Cuba. The embargo was written into law with the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act, which specified that it could only be lifted once Cuba became a democracy.

Despite the long-standing nature of the sanctions, Cuba has managed to foster economic relations with other countries, particularly in Europe and Latin America. However, the embargo continues to be a symbol of hostility between the two nations and has had a detrimental impact on Cuba's development and humanitarian situation.

Accumulation of debris in Havana

Havana, Cuba, is facing a significant issue with the accumulation of debris and waste in the city. This problem has led to protests from residents, as well as the suspension of maritime transport services in Havana Bay due to the impact of heavy rains and insufficient sanitation efforts.

The debris in Havana includes construction, renovation, and demolition waste, as well as solid waste carried by rivers into the bay. The heavy rains in the region have exacerbated the issue, causing flooding and making navigation in the bay impossible. The Provincial Transportation Company of Havana has been forced to suspend ferry services due to the potential risk of damage to vessels from the large solid waste in the water. This issue is not new, as similar suspensions have occurred in the past due to weather conditions and increased garbage in the bay.

The accumulation of debris in Havana is a result of insufficient sanitation efforts and a struggling garbage collection system. Residents have expressed their frustration with the situation, as trash has been accumulating in their neighbourhoods for weeks and even months. In some cases, residents have resorted to burning the garbage, which has led to visits from firefighters and the police. The collapse of the garbage collection system has also led to protests, with people blocking traffic with the trash that has been left uncollected.

The impact of the debris accumulation in Havana goes beyond the suspension of transport services and protests from residents. It also affects the beauty and charm of the city, with countless tons of debris accumulating on the streets. This issue is not unique to Havana, as other cities worldwide also struggle with the vast tonnage of toxic waste. However, the situation in Havana highlights the need for improved sanitation and garbage collection efforts to mitigate the environmental and social impacts of debris accumulation.

Lack of air-monitoring infrastructure

Cuba's air-monitoring infrastructure is not as advanced as that of other countries, which has hindered the implementation of pollution-monitoring tools like AERMOD. This tool, developed by the American Meteorological Society and the US Environmental Protection Agency, uses local data to create an hourly-updated "pollution map". It takes into account factors such as contaminant location, temperature, elevation, wind direction, wind speed, and cloud cover. While scientists in Cuba are working to understand and mitigate the spread of air pollution, the lack of a well-developed air-monitoring infrastructure poses challenges.

The slow start for AERMOD's implementation in Cuba is due in part to insufficient data sharing and coordination, as noted by Leonor Turtos, a leading proponent of the tool. Turtos and her group aim to use AERMOD to assess how pollution affects air quality in both rural and metropolitan areas. They hope to achieve an infrastructure similar to the UK Air Quality Monitoring Network, which enables efficient data transfer and helps enforce tougher regulations on pollution monitoring and air quality standards.

Cuba's lack of advanced air-monitoring infrastructure is a barrier to effective pollution monitoring and management. It highlights the need for better support and coordination within the country, as well as improved standards for pollution measurement and computer modeling. By addressing these issues, Cuba can improve its ability to monitor and mitigate air pollution, ultimately enabling its 11 million inhabitants to breathe cleaner air.

To enhance their air-monitoring capabilities, Cuban scientists are adopting a multi-layered approach. They are utilizing tools like CALPUFF, which can simulate the dynamic effects of weather conditions on pollution across various scales, and the WRF model, which operates on scales from meters to thousands of kilometers. By combining these models, scientists will gain a comprehensive understanding of air pollution at both local and regional levels.

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