Graduation Year

2025

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

International Relations

Second Department

Public Policy Analysis

Reader 1

Professor Lisa Koch

Reader 2

Professor Owen Brown

Abstract

This thesis explores how the U.S. embargo on Cuba has shaped the island’s environmental and political landscape, focusing on its dual impact on Cuba’s climate policies and conservation efforts. While the embargo has hindered Cuba’s economic development by depriving the nation of vital resources, international funding, and collaboration opportunities, it has also inadvertently preserved natural ecosystems by limiting industrialization and overdevelopment. This paradox underscores the intricate relationship between geopolitics and environmental outcomes. Drawing on case studies of renewable energy, conservation policy, and disaster recovery, the research explores how Cuba has demonstrated remarkable innovation and resilience in the face of isolation, achieving notable successes such as forest regrowth, marine conservation, and agroecological farming. However, these achievements remain insufficient to meet the escalating challenges of climate change, highlighting the constraints imposed by the embargo on Cuba’s ability to fully implement effective climate strategies. The thesis concludes by advocating for a reevaluation of the embargo, arguing that easing restrictions would not only benefit Cuba’s environmental governance but also contribute to global climate resilience.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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