As I watched President Obama’s Oval Office address about the BP oil spill, I was reminded of a piece I wrote for HBR in April 2009, “Can Obama Become the Green Leader We Need?” I speculated that “maybe the President needs a personal, symbolic experience to build upon,” something that would make our energy and environment challenge more tangible for him — and all Americans. I thought it would be something like Michelle Obama’s organic garden. Unfortunately it’s this disaster in the Gulf.