America must turn to 'clean' energy, says Obama

Barack Obama has urged Americans to embrace a "green revolution", warning that dependence on foreign oil poses a threat to the economy and the climate.

He used a speech on Earth Day to say America can lead the way in developing new technologies but he warned there was no "magic energy source" to help end US dependence on foreign oil.

The president said: "The nation that leads the world in creating new sources of clean energy will be the nation that leads the 21st-century global economy."

Mr Obama announced a programme to develop renewable energy projects on the Outer Continental Shelf producing electricity from wind, waves and ocean currents. He said this would lead to major investments in offshore clean energy.

"The American people are ready to be part of a mission," Mr Obama said at an appliance factory in Ohio that was converted to make towers for wind energy turbines. He said offshore energy could create up to 250,000 jobs as well as helping to reduce carbon emissions. Wind could generate as much as 20 per cent of US electricity by 2030.

Mr Obama has said fighting climate change is a priority. He has pledged to pass laws establishing a "cap and trade" system to cut greenhouse gas emissions, but is likely to face a battle to get his measures approved by Congress.

He deplored the fact that America has less than five per cent of the world's population but uses a quarter of its oil.

Critics said Mr Obama used more than 9,000 gallons of fuel for his day trip flying on Air Force One from Washington to Iowa and taking four helicopter rides.