There’s the good news, then there’s the really bad news.

The good news is that global investment in renewable energy has weathered the worldwide recession strongly, according to a report from the Pew Charitable Trusts. Investment in the United States alone has doubled over the past five years.

The really bad news? American clean energy investment is falling behind that of other countries.

The even worse news? China’s taking the lead.

In 2009, China led the world with total investments of $34.6 billion in renewable energy. We, in second place, invested a meager $18.6 billion – and that’s including stimulus funds. (Though, to be fair, China had a massive stimulus of its own.) Furthermore, American investments in renewable energy are growing at a slower rate than that of other countries.

This is unacceptable. If there’s one industry that you can bet will grow dramatically in this century, it’s renewable energy. We have to run out of oil and coal eventually, and clean energy is the best replacement candidate.

Besides, it’s not all economics. Energy is vital to both our national security and our strategic position in the world.

Our current dependence on oil and other fossil fuels ties the United States to nasty regimes (Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, etc.). This dependence forces us to prop up totalitarian regimes (I’m looking at you again, Saudi Arabia) and be involved in unnecessary conflicts like the Persian Gulf War.

Instead of falling behind in the race for green energy, policymakers in Washington must ensure that the United States retakes the lead in renewable energy development. By becoming the Saudi Arabia of the 21^st century, we can maintain our geopolitical dominance and economic might.

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First and foremost, that means passing smart climate change legislation in Congress. Besides preventing global warming, this legislation would use “carrots and sticks” to promote renewable energy development. “Sticks” would discourage the use of fossil fuels, either through a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade system. “Carrots” would be tax incentives to stimulate renewable energy expansion.

Right now, however, energy and climate legislation is being held up in the increasingly dysfunctional Senate. It doesn’t help that Republican leaders are working to advance their own interests instead of those of the country. “There will be no cooperation for the rest of the year!” exclaimed John McCain after health care reform passed last week. (And this man could have been our president?)

The Pew report specifically points out that domestic policy plays a “critical role” in the strength of individual countries clean energy programs.

Tell Congress to pass energy and climate reform now.