Friday Night at the Movies | Obama on Energy and the Environment

With the election of Barak Obama as the 44th President of the United States last Tuesday, many in America and around the world celebrated what they hope will be a new era of progress and engagement across a variety of pressing national and international issues. The reality of factors beyond his or our control will, of course, play a role in how much he, and we, can accomplish over the next four years. But for that moment, that evening, rejoicing in the mere possibility of progress was irresistible and more than enough for many.

Now, it’s time to get down to the business of making “change” happen.

What might we hope for from an Obama administration in terms of energy and the environment?

This week’s Friday Night Movie offers a glimpse into Obama’s positions on these two critical issues by way of a video recorded early this year as the contest for his party’s nomination was getting underway.

Will Obama actually deliver the change and progress he claims to seek? Preliminary indications will begin to emerge in the coming weeks as he selects his staff and announces his nominees for cabinet-level appointments.

To a large extent, his success also depends upon us and how involved we become. Politicians need the cover of public support and the backing of other politicians to achieve real change. As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said to a group seeking his support for their cause, “I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it.”

One thing is for certain — if we don’t work to increase public awareness and lobby our leaders on behalf of the causes we believe in, someone else is sure to be lobbying against them.

For those interested in learning more after the video, you’ll find links to several campaign position papers from Obama’s campaign website, where additional information can be found.

– Bob