How US-Cuba Environmental Cooperation Can Help Drive the Process of Normalization Under the New Administration

• In Event: Temas de la Agenda Cuba-Estados Unidos en el proceso hacia la normalización de relaciones

Abstract

Since the restoration of diplomatic relations, the US and Cuba have made great progress in expanding dialogue and cooperation on pressing environmental issues such as sea level rise and other climate change impacts, degradation to coral reefs and loss of biodiversity, overfishing, and marine pollution. In fact, the first two accords signed by the governments pledged cooperation on environmental and natural matters and, since then, other agreements have been reached. Cooperation on the environment has also generated considerable good will between the two governments and has helped pave the way for negotiations on more challenging issues. The mutual benefits of environmental cooperation are undeniable and, for the most part, uncontroversial. Even proponents of the US embargo on Cuba tend to accept the need to cooperate on preventing oil spills in shared waters, sharing science and in protecting shared ecosystems.Furthermore,because of progress made to date, there are a number of strong interests (e.g., NGOs, philanthropies, government scientists and officials) who are committed and well-positioned to keep implementation of cooperative environmental initiatives on track. This paper will discuss how environmental cooperation can remain a priority and help shape and drive the process of normalization under the new Administration.

Author

• Daniel J Whittle, Environmental Defense Fund