Ideas ranging from education to potable water to harnessing the power of imagination are providing outlets for change.

FORBES: 'What's Next' in the World of Social Innovation?

Earlier this year I outlined a vision to improve drinking water protection by harnessing invention and innovation.

WHITEHOUSE: Blog Action Day: Protecting America��s Waters Today

The monasteries, in particular, were very good at harnessing fresh water.

BBC: A cultural tour of Bruges

Meanwhile, China could well be on its way to blowing the U.S. out of the water when it comes to harnessing wind energy.

CNN: U.S., China lead way in tapping wind power

The HighDro Power system works by harnessing the considerable energy from falling waste water in the soil pipes of high-rises, converting it to electricity.

FORBES: Going Vertical