Lawyer Sanders says global investment in renewable energy up 60% percent over 2006 levels.

In a report released by the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP), analysts conclude that global investment in renewable energy rose 60% last year compared with 2006. Solar power was the fastest growing type of renewable energy last year, with investments rising almost 90% to $28 billion.

The report, called Global Trends in Sustainable Energy Investment 2008, credits the recent boom partly to skyrocketing oil prices, concerns about climate change and energy security, and growing governmental support for sustainable-energy projects. Wind energy led in total investment dollars, pulling in a 40% increase to $50 billion in new investments in 2007. Solar power was the fastest growing energy source, rising nearly 90% in one year to $28 billion. Biofuels were the only declining sector, because of concerns about prices, supplies, and environmental impacts.

Although most of the new money went to Europe, with the U.S. coming in second, the report notes that China, India, and Brazil are becoming major players on the global renewable-energy scene. Their combined global share of new investment grew from 12% in 2004 to 22% in 2007, representing a 14-fold increase from $1.8 billion to $26 billion.

Mr. T. Boone Pickens is a leader in wind energy investment in America. Now, if we can just get members of Congress to follow his lead.