U.S. Lags Behind Global Renewable Energy Investments

Letters to the editor highlight China's rapid renewable energy growth and the U.S. falling behind.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A letter to the editor in the Los Angeles Times discusses how the U.S. is lagging behind other countries, particularly China, in renewable energy investments and deployment. The writer highlights China's impressive solar, wind, and electric vehicle numbers, as well as Australia's rapid addition of renewable energy capacity. The letter argues that the U.S. is unaware of the energy and transportation advancements happening globally, despite the fact that modern renewable energy was born in the U.S. at Bell Labs.

Why it matters

The letter raises concerns about the U.S. falling behind the rest of the world in the transition to renewable energy, which has significant economic and environmental implications. As other countries rapidly invest in and deploy green technologies, the U.S. risks losing its competitive edge and the opportunity to lead the global clean energy revolution.

The details

The letter highlights several examples of renewable energy progress in other countries. In China, the electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has built its own shipping fleet to transport its cars, demonstrating the country's commitment to green transportation. Australia, a major fossil fuel producer, has added so much renewable energy capacity that it has outpaced domestic demand. Meanwhile, the writer argues that U.S. citizens are unaware of the advancements happening globally, despite the fact that modern renewable energy technologies were pioneered in the U.S.

  • The letter was published on February 4, 2026.

The players

Pam Brennan

A resident of Newport Beach, California who wrote the letter to the editor.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The solar, wind and electric vehicle deployment numbers coming out of China blow my mind ('Global green tech investments hit record $2.3 trillion despite political headwinds,' Feb. 2).”

— Pam Brennan (Los Angeles Times)

“All the while, U.S. citizens have no idea what energy and transportation could potentially look like here, what they will look like in Canada and the U.K., and what they do look like in China today.”

— Pam Brennan (Los Angeles Times)

The takeaway

This letter highlights the urgent need for the U.S. to significantly increase its investments and deployment of renewable energy technologies in order to keep pace with the rapid progress being made in other countries around the world. Falling behind in the global clean energy transition could have serious economic and environmental consequences for the United States.