The free market strikes again!
Europe has socialized medicine, yet most medical breakthroughs occur here in the US. Europe has massive environmental regulation, yet most technological innovation concerning energy efficiency is taking place here in the States. After a while you figure these lessons would sink in.
IMO, it would be far more effective if the environmental organizations were to target the general public instead of politicians. Public demand for a product has a far more effective influence on technological development than bureaucratic dictates.