The five-year plan for getting greener

Like most five-year plans, it's in a communist country, namely, China.

But, it makes blunt economic sense even without the environmental angle, for China to do this.

For example, China is about to pass the U.S. on the amount of oil it imports. So, even after Libya settles down, no matter who "wins," worldwide demand will keep pushing.

Of course, part of the plan is bass-ackwards environmentally. Pushing for more electric cars may control oil imports a bit, but, with a coal-heavy electric power grid, it will likely increase air pollution, if anything.

That said, this is the first time China has set consumption goals, not just efficiency goals, limited as they may be.