Venezuela
One needn't twist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's arm in order to extract a condemnation of global capitalism. Chavez, who speculated recently on the effects capitalism may have had on Martian civilization, rarely wastes an opportunity to lambast the industrialized West for alleged wrongdoing. Regarding global warming, the Latin American leader did not disappoint. "The cause of all this disastrous situation is the destructive capitalist system," declared Chavez at the 2009 UN Summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen. He was also quick to blame globalization - and, of course, capitalism - for last year's deadly floods. Chavez's bluster aside, global warming is without question a pressing and imperative crisis in Venezuela. Rolling blackouts, caused in part by severe drought, have put tremendous strain on Venezuela's energy industry, thus placing the country on the frontlines of the climate change crisis . Global Top 5s is a monthly feature by RealClearWorld.com powered by Gallup's worldwide research. Learn more at Gallup.com.
