We just published results from a massive cleantech online brainstorming with up to 1.500 expert views from 66 countries. All over the world people have surprisingly similar views where do we stand environmentally and what are the solutions to react. 

In general, people mainly talk about public sector's role as a must, financial situation as a threat and energy efficiency as a greatest opportunity. In India people seem to be buried under garbage, whereas USA strongly believes that innovation is the way to brighter future and prosperity.

Higher awareness of environmental problems has changed attitudes of people, political commitment fosters market creation, economic slowdown delays investments, and big catastrophes will have drastic moves how countries and business community will act.

But if we dive deeper, we see those opportunities, dynamics of markets and the real action come down to these three: networks, expertise and people.  

1. Power of networks

Scale local challenges to global solutions - and global challenges to local solution. Environmental challenges are complex and they need comprehensive solutions. In urban areas energy, water and resources are all inter-linked. It’s all about interaction between public, business, education and citizens. Unlocking the networks and by combining and engaging experts and other enthusiast from various backgrounds is the answer. 

2. Scaling of expertise

Technology and know-how is already out there for solving most of the current environmental challenges. New breakthrough innovations will come, no doubt, and we will be wondering, how anyone didn't figure out that earlier.

Yet, lots of low hanging fruits are available in for example in energy, material and water efficiency through existing solutions. Information and expertise is available, the trick is to provide means for people to link with needs and know-how in order to foster innovation and to channel expertise to those who really need it and can leverage it.

3. People engaging

People have the skills, it’s about how you use them and react to your surroundings. After all its us – people, who governments and business life is listening. Cleantech is today very tangible for people through everyday activities such as cleaner transportation and healthier living.

Not only people are ready to make greener choices, but in fact through various networks, communities and open discussion people around the world are the ones who are driving cleantech development. Individuals can innovate and develop extraordinary solutions, but only together we can achieve great things and can keep them running.