The Queensland Government recently put together a task force to determine Queensland's vulnerability to rising oil prices. Queensland's new Environment Minister, Andrew McNamara, released their final report last week.

While the task force's report (available here ) paints a bleak picture for Queensland it is refreshing to see the State Government is at least acknowledging the looming issue of worldwide oil production, one would think, is starting to prepare for the likelihood of oil constrained lifestyles.

For a number of years SALA Homes has been researching and experimenting with ways of reducing our reliance, and our customer's reliance, on oil based products. In December SALA's founders, Scott and Sandie Elsom, will venture to Cuba to see how the Cubans have adapted to life without oil.

With the collapse of the USSR in the early 90's Cuba was effectively cut off from the rest of the world, which meant that it had to become self sufficient. As they produced very little oil themselves they had to find alternative ways of fertilising their crops, alternative fuels, alternative glues and polymers and alternative energy sources. The Cuban's have become very energy efficient and they have had to downsize every aspect of their lives. Despite the significant behavioural, systemic and technological challenges that the Cuban's have had to deal with, they are regularly reported to be the happiest people on the planet. We suspect that there are many things that we Australian's can learn from the Cuban's to make our lifestyles more sustainable.

As well as being primarily self sufficient, Cuba is also very inward looking, which means that sourcing and making contact with key people in their energy, food production, transport and housing industries has proven difficult. If you have visited Cuba or have any contacts within Cuba who may be able to help Scott and Sandie in their research we would love to hear from you.

As with most things that SALA does and learns,we plan on sharing our experiences in Cuba, so watch this space.