Beyond theories concerning the finite character of fossil fuels in the planet, including oil and gas; beyond the polluting effects of these fuels and their impact in the climate, the modern technological civilization highly depends on oil.

This situation is not only a matter of concern for experts in this subject and environmentalists, it also concerns politicians who have the responsibility to face the problem and search for alternatives for the forecasted imminent limitation of oil production.

Mostly, the irrational consumption by developed societies, and the technological dependence on oil and its derivates, and the slow development of other sources of renewable energy, place humanity in the face of a harsh reality that should be dealt with the responsibility it demands.

A society like ours, economically supported on different grounds, but without enough of our own resources, has also noticed this risk and has identified its vulnerability for the industry, transport, and basic services, among other economic and social branches.

Cuba is not excluded from the threats of rising oil prices and its effect, which would multiply the costs of food, raw materials and other imported products; its main goal to overcome this problem is energy saving.

Even if we were not in the oil peak, and it was possible to make use of resources for the next century without any shortages, insensitivity before the challenge to economize it is unforgivable.

Nowadays, the rising of oil prices is determined by speculation, which has to do with the weakness of the U.S. dollar and the uncertainty imposed by imperial wars for controlling the biggest oil and gas reserves.

The situation is also influenced by internal conflicts in oil producing countries, and by the effect of the demand of emergent economies such as China and India.

Some people in Cuba underestimate this issue because the basic products they buy and the main services they enjoy do not express the real cost of energy for the country. However, estimates by oil international markets confirm a tendency towards the rise of oil prices over the one hundred dollar per barrel.

This is a serious threat for food production and demands a review of consumption policies.