Caracas, Venezuela faces its most severe crisis in history with stagnating growth and declining living standards for citizens. The economic and social problems have made sustainable practices a low priority as basic needs are not being met and outdated technologies are used. Corruption in public services like electricity and transportation have reduced quality and led to non-sustainable practices. Improving the situation will require an honest government to promote wellbeing, educate society on sustainable development, and incentivize sustainable alternatives.

1. G. Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or
city reflects behavior that is in line with the concept of sustainable
development? In your opinion, what should be improved?
Reinaldo Marin

2. Caracas is a beautiful city… It counts more tan 400 years of history, and is home today to more
tan 5 million people. It has plenty of green spaces and enjoys a mild weather all year round,
which once earned the city being know as to be “…on heaven´s road”.

3. Today, Caracas is facing its most severe crisis in
history. In recent years, growth has stagnated, and
with it so has development.
That is the result of years of erroneous politics and
reforms promoted in the country in the wake of a so
called socialist reform.

4. Reality is we now have in Caracas a very collapsed
situation with decaying standards of living for its
citizens, in aspects from crime and education to
health and nutrition.
What´s more, at a more macro level there are
stablished structural problems that discourage the
adoption of sustainable and better practices.

5. Among some of these, the economic and social crisis
has led people to have more basic unsatisfied needs,
so long-term problems like global warming may be
overlooked by more immediate problems.
At that, crisis has disincentive access to new
technologies, so the remaining industrial parks and
the vehicle fleet are left outdated, contributing to
more gas emissions.

6. Things get worse with estate provided public
services like electricity, gasoline and gas, water and
even telecommunications. Poor maintenance and
corruption have led to reduced quality and service
cuts.
As an example, Venezuela has today the cheapest
gasoline price in the world. A whole 50 lt gasoline
tank has an equivalent cost between USD 0,089 and
USD 0,011.
50 lt US$ 0,08

8. Stablish a government of unity, with honest and
competent policy makers that promote wellbeing and
development.
Educate society into sustainable
development values, and promote these
practices at all levels.
Correct and set proper incentives for the
different actors in society to adopt alternatives
that are in line with sustainable development.