Communists for Clean Energy

In what I anticipate to be an extremely troubling new rally-cry and tally-mark in the column entitled "The Joys and Benefits of Socialism" - environmentalists everywhere are simultaneously rejoicing in China's lead in adoption of green technology and their hutspa when it comes to simply forcing people to do what they say as long as its for the good of the earth. They seem to forget this use of force is applied to every aspect of the Chinese people's lives - but no matter - they all have solar-heated water tanks via government force, isn't that so much better than freedom??

Via TriplePundit,

The Pew Charitable Trusts released a study showing that for the first time, China is leading the United States in green technology investment. Considering that China is four times the size of US, the study may not be surprising, but the pace at which Chinese investment has increased is certainly shocking. Five years ago, the Chinese had only invested about US $2.5 billion in green and clean technologies. But in 2009, that figure had soared to US $34.6 billion, almost twice that of the United States, which lagged at US $18.6.

The Pew study found that countries with strong and clear national policies, mandated clean energy quotas, prioritized loans for renewable energy projects and a carbon market, were leaders in the green technology revolution.

Via GreenChipStocks,

In China, the central government in Beijing does pretty much what it wants. Like it or not, the nucleus of power in that still-Communist country can catalyze market changes with more force than D.C. policymakers ever could.

I notice neither report indicates how China achieved these extraordinary changes and what the net benefit versus cost (both monetarily and to society) has been. I also think we need to temper our enthusiasm for totalitarian dictatorships and be thankful that despite whatever supposed losses we face coming in behind China for green advances, we can hopefully salvage in precious freedoms the Chinese do not have. The fact this needs to be said is very sad.