Early on in my time in China, it was clear to me that the system in China was well suited for developing technologies that would become leader in the cleantech space.

They were investing in battery technologies that were going to power mobile phones and laptops to be exported in consumer goods, but the underlying investments were going into developing car/ truck technologies.

At the same time, they have been working on developing wind and water technologies by importing technologies and “adapting” them to local conditions.  Starting by manufacturing the components, forcing suppliers to China to manufacture in China, and then pumping billions into installing this equipment.

These were investments that were being made not just because of financial returns, but because there was a clear understanding that China would need these technologies.

That, unlike their counterparts in the US, they were looking at investments as social investments.  not financial ones.

A point I tried to make when reflecting on last year’s JUCCCE conference.

And now that some fruit is coming to market through the recent launch of BYD’s technology, and traditional US investors are moving away fro the US to China, there are some in the US who view this as a threat.

In his recent thoughts to the NY times article China Vies to Be World’s Leader in Electric Cars, Al Gore writes on his own blog post Electric Cars and China: Yes They Can?:

If, instead, we allow other nations to take the lead in developing the technologies of the future, we would put our entire economy at risk for the next generation. Repowering America is not only about solving the climate crisis; it’s about leading the world. If we don’t, others are sure to take our place.

Honestly, I am disappointed. Really dissapointed.

Sure, Mr. Gore is correct insofar as that by being a leader in technologies of the future, the economy secuirty of the US will be more stable, and that more jobs will likely be lost should the “Chinese” win.

But, this shouldn’t about jobs, or about who is leading … should it?

It should be about the fact that someone, in this case a Chinese indutry, stood up and took the lead when it was clear no one else was.

When Americna auto gave up, and when Japan went hybrid, the Chinese saw this as an oppotunity for themselves to develop a technology that they believed would make the market.. and they were right.

So, why must Mr. Gore, and other, now look to take that away?  Why turn this into a competition and waste time/ energy to take China off the hill?

Why cannot we simply begin acting as if this really is a global problem, and do what is necessary to ensure that the advances BYD has made – advances the Big 3 could not – are developed to their fullest potential to become a true solution that everyone can use.

Honestly, I thought that was somehow the goal here.  To develop technologies that could scale out on a global level that would reduce our emissions and addiction to oil?

Perhaps I am wrong?  Perhaps this is still about who is on top, who will keep the jobs, make the money, and control technologies.

Perhaps this really isn’t about the environment or global warming after all?