As world leaders and energy policy experts prepare for the UN climate change summit in Copenhagen next month, many analysts and policymakers in Washington say the US must take a leading role. But in the wake of the economic recession, some wonder whether the Obama administration will bring more rhetoric than action to Copenhagen.

 

As he campaigned for the presidency, Barack Obama promised a future of green jobs and renewable energy.

Now as President, Obama has visited solar farms, pledged 3.4 billion US dollars in government grants to modernize power grids and renewed his promise.

Developing a green economy has been a central part of Obama's strategy to wrest America's economy from recession.

Obama said, "There's no longer a question about whether the jobs in industries of the 21st century will be centered around clean renewable energy. The only question is which country will create these jobs and these industries and I want that country to be the United States of America."

But, some are wondering whether the US will, at last, emerge as a leader on the issue.

Ben Lieberman, Senior fellow of Heritage Foundation, said, "The reality is that there are underlying problems beyond the change in administrations: underlying economic and political and, even, scientific realities that are making a deal very tough."