Bay Area entrepreneurs, scientists and policymakers hope to join the vanguard of another revolution - one that aims to reinvent the way people use water, power their cars, build their houses and live their lives.
The problems are inherently global and will require the assistance of governments and experts around the planet. Even then, they might not be solved for decades - if ever. But the Bay Area and California likely will figure prominently in the president's move to harness wind power, cap carbon dioxide emissions and understand the economic and ecological impacts of climate change on our society.
These 10 people are among the brightest lights in their respective fields - from solar energy to venture capital to water policy to "smart" growth.