China? Oh, China? I know that you just met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner and discussed such weighty economic issues as American debt, Treasury holdings and exports, but can I have your attention for a minute? I wanted to take this moment to expand on a point the world powers mentioned at Beijing’s Capital Museum — climate change and energy conservation.

During last year’s Summer Olympics, Beijing was motivated (or maybe pressured?) to tackle its pollution crisis, taking serious measures to clean up the environment for the benefit of international athletes who worried that the sooty air would damage their superhero performances. Shanghai also says it is committed to reducing its environmental degradation during the lead-up to its big event, Expo 2010, the first world exposition to be held in a developing country. (The theme is “Better City, Better Life,” and participants are encouraged to follow the Green Guideline.)

According to event organizers, the city invested more than 3 percent of its Gross Domestic Product in 2006 (about $129 billion in U.S. dollars) into environmental projects. In addition, they also claimed that air quality reached 89 percent and that 71 percent of its sewage is treated. However, the United Nations tells a different story: “Heavy dependence on coal as a source of fuel for both industrial energy and residential heating in Shanghai has resulted in significant air pollution. Shanghai has the highest cancer mortality rate in China. Also, a daily flow of approximately 4 million cubic meters of untreated human waste enters the Huangpu River creating a serious water pollution and supply problem.” C’mon, China, you can do better.

For some inspiration and ideas, let’s return to the Capital Museum.

Before leaving the country, the Treasury secretary met with a handful of American clean energy companies with outposts in China and addressed energy efficiency (a conversation to be continued, we hope). The setting was photo-op perfect: The museum is partly powered by solar panels installed by Michigan-based United Solar Ovonic. The system generates 363,00 kilowatt hours of energy each year.

Now, just imagine showering the homes and buildings in Beijing, Shanghai and beyond with solar power panels. This plan, especially if applied on a large scale, would help reverse climate change and boost U.S.-China trade. The image warms an environmentalist’s — and an economist’s — heart.

Andrea Sachs is a long-time travel writer, who frequently covers eco-tourism, volunteer vacations, outdoor adventures and other green trips. Her biggest souvenir is often recyclables collected during her travels.