[jariel]

"I think its very important to engage with the fact that this is something China can do because of what we in the west deem unacceptably "authoritarian" governance."

I disagree.

Check the article again:

- Canada has been responsible for 40% as much 'man made greening' as China.

- Canada is 3% the population of China.

- Canada has provided 1500% 'more greening per capita' than China.

- Canada is obviously a decent modern democracy.

In 'per capita' or 'per square km' terms, or even in 'per GDP' terms, there doesn't seem to be a much of a story here.

So I don't think this is at all about 'authoritative power', in fact, arguably just the opposite.

FYI I think the 'real' story is in the opposite direction - a large country like Brazil which is currently having problems with deforestation.