Now here's a work retreat we could get excited about: British entrepreneur and adventurer Richard Branson recently invited a few of his pals to his private hideaway in the Caribbean islands to chat about the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change.

The guest list included former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Google co-founder Larry Page, Jimmy Wales of Wikipedia, Elon Musk of Paypal and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who oddly never came ashore, choosing instead to remain on his 198-foot (and eco-unfriendly) yacht.

Those who chose to be social during the meeting of the minds on Necker Island spent most of the weekend discussing how the confluence of soaring oil prices and growing concern over global warming means the era of economically viable green power is finally at hand.

Blair, who now works as senior adviser to JPMorgan Chase, predicted that the U.S. would follow the lead of the European Union and soon adopt a cap and trade system for carbon emissions, but added "I’m a little skeptical that it will work unless it’s part of a global deal.

Google billionaire Page discussed problems his company has faced in its attempt to get solar energy permits. "We need to give people permission to think really big," he said.

In other Branson-related news, the Virgin Airlines founder shot back at critics this week who have criticized the airline's recent attempt to use biofuels. In a London Guardian op-ed, Branson took aim at British Airways CEO Willie Walsh, who has called the alternative fuel experiment "a bit of a PR stunt."

"Sniping from the sidelines is not the answer to climate change," Branson wrote. "If Walsh, who's clearly used to being handed solutions on a plate, had his way the industry would go backwards. We need everyone to take action now."