We split the atom. We invented the light bulb. Heck, we not only sent a man to the moon, we brought him back again. Why, then, can we not get recycling right?

The power to clean up our world lies more in our hands than most of us admit. (That's not to say that legislation isn't necessary, too.) Every day in every corner of the world, there are leaders and everyday folks living more sustainable lives, and leading by example.

At the upcoming U.S.-China Climate-Smart/Low-Carbon Cities Summit in Los Angeles, both nations are expected to announce actions to combat ongoing climate change. A leader in energy efficiency, Los Angeles is an ideal city to host the summit.

Ten years ago, all we could do was blindly believe in our best selves. Ten years into a recovery that will likely take several generations, it's clear New Orleans didn't wash away after all.

The idea that multiple institutional and other major investors are consciously assembling global portfolios of green, high-performance buildings was a foreign concept. Sophisticated developers have been looking for a "product differentiator" in some markets.