President Obama is introducing a new approach to energy. It’s inspiring because it is very aspirational, explicitly about rapid and vast change in the way that the US produces energy, and explicitly about addressing climate change.

 

You could even argue that he’s not using up much political capital in being so open and bold, demonstrating the type of leadership on climate change that’s so needed. This is partly because he is able to play to the gallery, highlighting a desire to make America much less dependent on ‘foreign oil’.

 

For the time being, let’s put aside the concern that this could be a foretaste of increased protectionism, one of the possible futures as the impacts of climate change, peak oil and carbon restrictions begin to bite.

 

Instead, let’s focus on the lessons for the UK.

 

It shows that it is possible to show bold leadership in relation to climate change without being dismissed as woolly and unrealistic. Yet, nationally, government does not seem able to be so brave.

 

Second, it shows that the recession is an opportunity for leadership, not a hurdle. Just as policy becomes all about weathering the recession through tackling unemployment, what better time to promote the level of job creation inherent in a Green New Deal, such as that promoted by NEF? Let’s get to work making the turbines, doing the insulation, installing micro-generation – it requires more vision, but is a much better longer-term bet, than propping up the automotive industry.

 

Third, in Obama’s narrative on kindness, co-operation and citizenship, we have – I hope – the early stages of convincing leadership on the need to change lifestyles. Addressing climate change is, of course, not just about how we generate the energy that we use; it is, more than anything, about how we live our lives. These changes have to happen through individual, family, neighbourhood and local action, which is why local government is so vital. But national and global politicians do us a great service by telling it as it is. More of the same, please.