The recent report of The Pew Charitable Trust shows that for the first time China is spending nearly doubled in clean energy  investments compared to the United States. In 2009, China invested $34.6 billion in wind power, solar energy and other forms of renewable energy, whereas United States only invested $18.6 billion dollars. The United States lagged behind 10 G20 members in percentage of gross domestic products. The report explains that Spain invested five times more than the United States last year, and China and the United Kingdom three times more.

Phyllis Cuttino, who directs the Pew Environment Group’s Global Warming Campaign explained that, “Having built a strong manufacturing base and export markets, China is working now to meet domestic demand by installing substantial new clean energy-generating capacity to meet ambitious renewable energy targets”. For Cuttino “Our nation has a critical choice to make: pass the federal policies necessary to position us as the world leader in the large and growing global clean energy market or continue to watch China and other countries race ahead”. Only time will tell if the United States President Barack Obama substantiates his past promises to propel a clean energy economy throughout the nation.