We must go from capitalism to socialism to tackle climate change, says Hugo Chavez

Hugo Chavez's perspectives might have more credibility if he was leading his own country

in the direction of democratic socialism, rather than the family-run kleptocracy that it has become.

Emissions are so low in Venezuela because the is in tatters. They haven't maintained their infrastructure let alone upgraded it and as a result, they don't even have enough power to light their towns and cities. Rolling blackouts and food lines are a result of his policies.

Yup, they are actually shooting protestors in the street down there, but they are green! Actually, communist countries often have terrible enviornmental records. The same people that run the factories also write the laws, so they just exempt themselves. China and Russia are prime examples of this.

You wrote: "The same people that run the factories also write the laws, so they just exempt themselves. China and Russia are prime examples of this."

The same could be said for the USA you know... But I guess ignorance works the best for you.

I do agree with you that one could wish that Chavez would have re-thought some of his decisions. But I don't trust the US media in most of their coverages. Also the US politics actually looks more like a "family-run kleptocracy" than Venezuela's.

Actually it's worth knowing that during the Soviet Union era the communists passed some of the most advanced environmental protection laws in the whole world. And ecologically the Soviet Union pioneered in various forms of environmental reforms and policies. Unfortunately when Stalin and his Stalinist bureaucracy came in power in the 30's these laws and policies were in practice disregarded and unenforced because of the capitalistic goal of expanding production.

I also wouldn't label Venezuela as an communistic dictatorship. Venezuela is an democracy.

I live in Venezuela and I can tell you that what Chavez says has nothing to do with what he does. We are more dependent on oil than ever, and rivers than had been said to be cleaned up few years ago are even worse. If someone wants to recicle, It's on It's own, no help from government. Chavez criticizes media, but he is very good using It. Come and judge by yourselves.