China investing in clean energy jobs: Obama

Reiterating his pledge to work towards achieving the goal of energy independence, President Barack Obama has said that countries like China are massively investing in clean energy jobs and industries that "should have been in America".

"For decades, we have known the days of cheap and easily accessible oil were numbered. For decades, we have talked about the need to end America's century-long addiction to fossil fuels," Obama said in his address to the nation from his Oval Office.

Time and again, the path forward has been blocked-not only by oil industry lobbyists, but also by a lack of political courage and candor, he said, adding the US has failed to act with the sense of urgency that this challenge requires.

"Countries like China are investing in clean energy jobs and industries that should be here in America. Each day, we send nearly $1 billion of our wealth to foreign countries for their oil.

"And today, as we look to the Gulf, we see an entire way of life being threatened by a menacing cloud of black crude," Obama said.

Now is the moment for this generation to embark on a national mission to unleash American innovation and seize control of our own destiny, the US President said in his address soon after he returned from his fourth trip to the region.

This is not some distant vision for America, Obama asserted.

"We cannot consign our children to this future. The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean energy future is now. The transition away from fossil fuels will take some time, but over the last year and a half, we have already taken unprecedented action to jumpstart the clean energy industry.

"As we speak, old factories are reopening to produce wind turbines, people are going back to work installing energy-efficient windows, and small businesses are making solar panels," Obama said.

Consumers are buying more efficient cars and trucks, and families are making their homes more energy-efficient. Scientists and researchers are discovering clean energy technologies that will someday lead to entire new industries, he said.

"Each of us has a part to play in a new future that will benefit all of us. As we recover from this recession, the transition to clean energy has the potential to grow our economy and create millions of good, middle-class jobs-but only if we accelerate that transition. Only if we seize the moment.

"Only if we act as one nation- workers and entrepreneurs; scientists and citizens; the public and private sectors," Obama said.