David Gordon, Duke University, spoke on the economics of blue carbon, warning that the benefits are not easy to monetize.

UNESCO: Social and Human Sciences

"Heat pumps will be a crucial component of our low-carbon future, provided they perform well, " said David Mackay, the Department of Energy and Climate Change's chief scientific adviser.

BBC: Heat pumps 'need tighter regulations'

"These are some of the most sophisticated launch vehicles in the world, " boasts David Triano of Shadow Components, a Lake Tahoe, Calif. manufacturer of elegant, carbon-fiber rockets.

FORBES: "Let's Punch A Hole In the Sky"

Besides being used for hi-tech gadgets, the elements are also crucial for manufacturing low-carbon resources such as wind turbines, solar panels and electric cars, said David Danielson, the US assistant secretary for renewable energy.

BBC: US to build $120m rare earth research institute

As far as energy analyst David Hunter is concerned, it is the Western businesses that are carrying the financial burden of reducing carbon emissions.

FORBES: China and India: Still Hungry for Coal

If governments took action now and effectively raised carbon tax on fuel by 40 percent percent, INSEAD Assistant Professor of Economics and Political Science David Hemous predicts that within 15 years there would be more clean cars than dirty cars sold in the world.

FORBES: Dirty Little Habits: Cleaning Up The Auto Industry