I mean, back like 30-40 years ago communism was seen as the antidote for capitalistic greed and the communists believed that their system would produce more wealth and distribute it more equally, and cure social problems including environmental degradation, which is a major problem even in today's world.

Journalistic writings state that East Germany (the communist side) was polluted with the Buna Chemical Works company dumping ten times more mercury into its neighbouring river than a comparable West German plant did in a year. Also, the East German smoky two-stroke Trabant cars emitted one hundred times as much carbon monoxide as a western car with a catalytic converter.

Back then, the message was that capitalism was cleaning-up the industry, however they were not such non-polluters themselves. In some ways the paternalistic communist state had protected the interests of primary producers like farmers and fishermen and so the environment. There was a law that made smelters shut down and so not pollute in spring when crops were growing. I guess that means that you're right, they both have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Reminds me of this quote...
"Capitalism and communism stand at opposite poles. Their essential difference is this: The communist, seeing the rich man and his fine home, says: 'No man should have so much.' The capitalist, seeing the same thing, says: 'All men should have as much.' "
–Phelps Adams