( CNN ) -- Climate skeptics are indicative of societies in decay . So said Mohamed Nasheed , president of the Maldives . Speaking at CNN 's Earth 's Frontiers debate in Seoul , Nasheed said he was looking for a greater urgency from countries and business across the world in dealing with the problems caused by climate change . Rather than a slow decay , Nasheed 's own nation is faced with a rapid extinction caused by a rise in sea-levels , according to many climate scientists . Joined at the debate by filmmaker and environmentalist James Cameron , Puma 's CEO Jochen Zeitz , and Changhua Wu of The Climate Group , Nasheed noted what was at stake when talking about future energy sources . `` I think it 's going to be very difficult for the Maldives to survive if business goes as usual , '' he said . `` I think it 's time especially for big emitter countries to find alternatives and move forward . If not , it 's not just going to be the Maldives , it 's going to be all of us . '' Instead of revisiting the divisions that flared between countries at the Copenhagen climate summit in December , Nasheed struck a more inclusive tone on how countries can work together to create a carbon-neutral future . `` I do n't think this is an issue of developed and developing countries . Given the opportunities , ( developing countries ) would have done the same . `` But of course industrialized countries have more capabilities and more means , and there are people who are in trouble . If they want to lend a hand , that 's the decent thing to do . '' Zeitz took a stand for businesses taking the initiative in promoting renewable energy by saying that business can not wait for government action . `` We ca n't wait for the perfect solutions . It 's trial and error , '' he said . Puma has a carbon neutral HQ in California and two of its factories operate off-grid . Zeitz said he was committed to fostering responsible businesses . `` If you plan your business out for the long run , you have to plan with renewable energies and eliminate carbon footprints . Business ultimately has caused a lot of the environmental degradation we see around the world , so business is there to also fix it , '' he said . A number of solutions that balance energy production and environmental protection exist , but the panel took different stands over a particular hydroelectric damn project in the Brazilian state of Para . Cameron had recently visited the region to campaign against the dam , but as a a head of state immediately threatened by rising sea-levels , Nasheed took a different view . `` Reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere is the priority right now , '' he said . `` If Brazil does that through damming their rivers , I would say , go ahead and do it . I think a number of countries are unable to understand the mathematics of the whole issue . If we can not become carbon-neutral by mid-century , then we wo n't be around here . It 's as simple as that . '' Zeitz disagreed : `` You have to look at carbon holistically . We live in a connected world where conservation , community , culture all have to play together , '' he said . Wu touched upon China 's position as the world 's largest emitter of greenhouse gases as well as its biggest investor in renewable energy projects . `` No matter how much China invests today , it 's not just a one country issue . More importantly we need to work together in order to deal with the core issue , '' she said . Ultimately that core issue for Cameron was getting a greater consensus that climate change itself was a serious , global problem . `` The fundamental problem out there is how many people ( do n't ) actually believe there 's a problem , '' he said . `` The most powerful force on the planet right now is the ability of individuals to communicate with each other . I believe in the power of ideas . People can certainly make a difference in the way they live , if they 're motivated . The important thing is to get the ideas out there . '' What do you think ? Should governments or businesses be doing more ? Use the soundoff box , below , to have your say and send an iReport to show how you are going off-grid .
President Nasheed of Maldives wants more help and action in coping with climate change . James Cameron 's CEO thinks businesses should lead in drive towards renewable energy . Maldives believes climate skepticism is still a great problem . Earth 's Brazilian debate took place in Seoul , Seoul .