Al Gore speaking at the Joint Venture Silicon Valley conference last week, following the release of UN report that makes it crystal clear that climate change is real and human-initiated:

"If information technology and biotech have been the mainstays in recent years, it's abundantly obvious that cleantech, greentech ... will be a new pathway that attracts a lot more investment and time and attention. ... I'm here today in part to encourage that ongong phenomenon. The world faces an unprecedented challenge and Silicon Valley can play an unprecedented part in facing that challenge. I say this not to flatter you. I say it because its very simply true and because I want to further encourage what many of you have already decided and perhaps in the process encourge others to join in this as well."

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JVSV reported that VC investments to cleantech increased 266 percent last year, with investments of about $300 million by the third quarter alone, News.com said.

Gore emphasized just how critical technology is to the effort to combat climate change.

"Technology is the key to giving us enough leverage to change the pattern that is now causing the climate crisis. The old and traditional patterns by which a new suite of technologies replace the old has to be examined and changed," he said. "Government policies can play a significant role, but the most significant role will be played here by you."