Relocalization in Cuba and Ireland

Summary: The Kinsdale article was a very in depth evaluation of Ireland's current energy plan for a more efficient future. Whats beneficial about this energy action plan is it will not only boost Ireland's economy and help the environment, but it will benefit the world as a whole if we follow this country's example. I was impressed to see how well thought out the energy plan was, right down to how it will affect the housing and Health care.
The article about Cuba was about how the country is surviving with low oil supplies and how they have turned to using every resource to its full potential; making sure not to waste anything that could be recycled and reused. The entire culture has been transformed to not be so dependent on oil and has reaped the economical benefits.

Terms:
Peak Oil- The point in time when the maximum rate of oil production occurs. This will be the point in our history where we start running out of oil and be forced to find a new energy source.
Decentralized agrarian society- a closely governed agricultural based society with a limited dependence on oil.

Discussion:
How Did the Cubans effectively handle the collapse of the Soviet Union and the loss of fossil fuel imports?
They found a new way to survive without a dependency on oil by being more efficient and cutting down on how much fossil fuel emissions they produce that pollute the atmosphere.

After reading the TC Local Plan or the Kinsdale Relocalization Plan do you think relocalization is an effective response to reduce energy availability? What are the merits? What are the drawbacks?
After reading the Kinsdale Relocalization Plan, i believe that relocalization is an effective response to reduce energy availability, but it is really only the beginning of what we should be doing to protect our environment. The benefits are that this will reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and benefit our global economy as a whole. The drawbacks are it is a temporary fix, and it is just a plan and has not been put into action yet.

Questions:
1. How are the changes in housing beneficial for Cuba's economy? for Ireland's?
2. How will the introduction of alternative fossil fuels improve Ireland and Cuba's economy even more?
3. What are some of the major benefits of relocalization?