Obama's Weekly Address: Investing in a Clean Energy Future

Speaking from a factory in Virginia, President Obama talks about how companies are creating more jobs in the United States, making better products than ever before, and how many are developing new technologies that are reducing our dependence on foreign oil and saving families money at the pump.

Obama's Weekly Address: Taking Control of Our Energy Future

President Obama talks about how the American auto industry is back and creating cars that are better than ever -- and says we need to fight for a clean energy future that is within our reach.





What is your take on the efforts of the president when it comes to energy policy?

Obama's Weekly Address: An All-Of-The-Above Approach to American Energy

President Obama talks about how important it is to embrace an all-of-the-above approach to addressing our nation's energy challenges.





Oil companies receive $4 billion every year in taxpayer-funded subsidies, despite continually bringing in record high profits. Meanwhile, gas prices are on the rise—just like they were this time last year—and the same people funding those subsidies are paying more at the pump for the gas they need to get to school and work.

Good News Tuesday: William Kamkwamba, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Soulclap to Zafar Minhas for pointing me to the story of William Kamkwamba. William grew up amidst poverty and famine in rural parts of the African nation of Malawi. It turns out that 14-year old William wanted to light his village.

His journey shows the power of having a goal.

Kamkwamba used discarded motor parts, a PVC pipe and an old bicycle wheel, to harness one of the only resources available to the people of Malawi: wind.





This inspiring true story is documented in an autobiography titled, 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind'. There is also a documentary film project based on his windmill that is supported by an American nonprofit group called 'Moving Windmills'.

President's Weekly Address: 'Recovery and the Jobs of the Future'

The President explains how the Recovery Act helped end our economic free fall, and how his agenda is helping to set a new foundation for our economy. From health reform, to energy, to creating the jobs of the future, the President’s proposals will make our economy stronger for both the current generations and our children, all in a way that will get our deficits under control.




So villagers ... what say u to this week's presidential message?

President's Weekly Address: 'Opening the Door to a Clean Energy Economy'

President Obama is focused on three things this year -- economy, energy and education. He passed another obstacle yesterday when the House of Representatives passed legislation intended to address global warming and transform the way the nation produces and uses energy.

The legislation, which passed 219-212, with eight Democrats voting against it, could lead to profound changes in many sectors of the economy, including electric power generation, agriculture, manufacturing and construction.

At the heart of the legislation is a cap-and-trade system that sets a limit on emissions of heat-trapping gases while allowing utilities, manufacturers and others to trade pollution permits, or allowances. The cap would grow tighter over the years, pushing up the price of emissions and driving industry to find cleaner ways of producing energy.

The President praised this historic energy legislation in his weekly address:





The battle for this energy legislation now moves to the US Senate. I hope that it passes because I think that America needs to find a way to create jobs and become a world-class leader in the so-called 'green' economy.

What say u?

Al Gore's Challenge

Al Gore made a visionary call for action, "Today I challenge our nation to commit to producing 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean carbon-free sources within 10 years."

I encourage all villagers to view his speech for yourself:



I've never been a great fan of Al Gore. However, when you're right ... you're right. Al Gore is right when he points out that our dangerous over-reliance on carbon-based fuels is at the core of high gas prices, economic downturn and the war in Iraq. America borrows money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet.

We need a new paradigm. We need to take control of our own economic and environmental future. What say u about Gore's challenge?