Aside from his unfortunate claim that clean energy could generate 'countless jobs', Obama let loose one of the best combination smack-down-and-call-for-action statements I've heard for a long time in last night's State of the Union:
"I don't know if you've noticed, but they're doing just fine on their own," Obama said about oil company profits. "So instead of subsidizing yesterday's energy, let's invest in tomorrow's."
To reiterate, here's Obama's key thought: what else could we be doing with the $40 billion we're currently wasting on lame subsidies to the oil and gas industry, which continues to enjoy record profits? Does ExxonMobil really need our help when it makes appr. $90,000 a minute? (as in the giddy heydays of 2008)
Re-framing the path forward as a challenge, based on powerful logic, opportunity and a touch of humor, is a much-needed step for climate and energy communications in the US-of-A right now. Clean energy economy, green jobs and their close friends are tired and worn out pieces of branding. I'm increasingly a firm believer that if more Americans actually knew how much money the government throws at oil companies they would want to do something about it. Or at least complain enough to make it an issue. Or at least embrace the power of clicktivism on a larger scale. Good times.
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