China steams ahead on clean energy

[Ghost Dog]

Source: BBC

China overtook the US during 2009 to become the leading investor in renewable energy technologies, according to a new analysis.

Researchers with the Pew Charitable Trusts calculate that China invested $34.6bn (£23.2bn) in clean energy over the year, almost double the US figure.

The UK emerges in third place among G20 nations, followed by Spain and Brazil.

...

Globally, investment has more than doubled in the last five years, Pew finds, with the recent economic turmoil generating only a slight dip.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8587319.stm

[get the red out]

1. China needs it desperately

I visited China a little over a year ago and the haze of pollution was an eye-opener for me. I am glad they are investing in clean energy, they and their people need it desperately.

Of course, I live in an area where every third person has a "clean coal" oxymoronic sticker on their car. So the idea of clean energy is considered an enemy of the people in this state. Sad state of US corporate propaganda.

[tomm2thumbs]

2. whichever country agrees to not let greed in the way of progress is going to win this fight

my bets are on America, but I've seen 'the greed' turn us upside-down lately so who knows

short term gain is always an easy out for financial idiots running all these companies with stock holders who just want to cash in

[David__77]

3. China's focus on HDI is a good indicator more of this is coming.

The bad environment is taking its toll on people's well being and GDP is only one way to measure the economy. The Chinese leaders are developing another concept of "red GDP" that includes less tangible things like clean environment - similar to the Human Development Index.