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Weather records are a state secret"The reality is that our understanding of climate change is based on a vast and remarkably sound body of science – and is something we distort and trivialise at our peril."

Steve McIntyre – Blogger

A shadowy figure who is almost unknown outside the blogosphere, Mr McIntyre has nonetheless been behind much of the recent controversies behind climate change science. His website Climate Audit was one of the first to post up the stolen emails from the University of East Anglia that led to the 'climategate' scandal. Before that he questioned the infamous 'hockeystick graph' showing a rise in temperature as carbon dioxide levels rose. He continues to question climate science and drives much of the sceptical debate on the internet.

"Everything that I've done in this, I've done in good faith,' Mr McIntyre on the Climategate blogs.

James Murdoch – Media mogul

A well-known advocate of fighting climate change, the head of News Corporation Europe and Asia and son of Rupert Murdoch is in more of a position to bring change than many politicians. Through his popular newspapers and television channels he is already influencing public opinion. Sky is broadcasting a number of environmental programmes already and teaming up with WWF to save one billion trees in the Amazon rainforest.

"Business has to do more to tackle climate change."

Samantha Cameron – Tory leader's wife

Another power behind the crown, Mr Cameron's conversion to all things green is said to be have been influenced by his wife. As 'Sam Cam' becomes a key influence in the election, her views could also sway green votes. She is certainly key in persuading people the Tories are no longer the 'nasty party' for the environment. In her first appearance on the WebCameron she was shown on the campaign trail, while her husband biked to work.

“She doesn’t need any campaigning tips” - David Cameron

Prince of Wales - Heir to the throne

Talking to plants might be laughed at back home, but the Prince's support of environmental issues has brought him worldwide respect. The Prince's Rainforest Project is in talks with leaders of rainforest nations to set up new financial systems so rich countries pay poorer nations not to chop down trees. The heir to the throne's opinion on genetically modified crops, architecture and organic farming also influence environmental policy.

"If we lose the battle against tropical deforestation, we lose the battle against climate change."

Al Gore – US Senator

The oscar-winning US Senator raised awareness of global warming through his film An Inconvenient Truth. He is now travelling the world helping governnments and business to cut their emissions. The Senator is also campaigning to get a climate change laws introduced in America that will put a cap on carbon emissions. The legislation will encourage China to act and could break the deadlock in climate change negotiations. But it is not popular among Republicans or the industrial states and it may be another year before it passes.

"We can end our reliance on fossil fuels."

Arnold Schwarzenegger – The Governor of California

The former actor and Governor of California is an unlikely hero of the green movement, despite being a Republican. He has led the way in California with limits on pollution and incentives for green energy. Mr Schwarzenegger is planning on bringing together other regions and even cities to discuss how they can cut emissions, even if a global deal fails.

“I believe technology and economic focus will overtake the politics and regulatory efforts of national governments. We are beginning on a historic great transformation, a new economic foundation for the 21st Century and beyond.”

Caroline Lucas – UK's best hope for first Green MP

The leader of the Green Party and MEP could soon be a Member of Parliament. Although Green MPs are common in the rest of Europe it will the first time an environmental party has managed to gain a seat in the UK. She may be a lone voice but the very fact voters are backing green policies will encourage other politicians to take an interest in environmental measures. Her influence will be even more key in a hung Parliament.

"We really are trying to do something extraordinary."

Felipe Calderón - President of Mexico

The President of Mexico will be a key player in the next round of international climate change negotiations due to take place in Cancun at the end of the year. The United Nations meeting is a chance for the world to draw up a legal treaty that will half greenhouse gases by 2050. The Danish Presidency were key in the last round of talks in Copenhagen and Mexico is key in bringing rich and poor nations together.

'There are two things that threaten the very existence of humanity: the gap between man and nature and the gap between north and south, between rich and poor."

Viscount Monckton - Sceptical lord

The UK's most notorious climate change sceptic may not be taken very seriously at home but his title allows him to influence people around the globe. The 3rd Viscount of Brenchley has appeared on US talk shows and regularly gives lectures arguing against the scientific consensus. The UKIP peer is also campaigning for voters in Britain to support the sceptic view by voting for UKIP.

"Carbon dioxide is plant food."

James Hansen - Controversial scientist

His testiomony on climate change to Congress in 1988 helped raise awareness of global warming and he was the leading figure on the issue for many years. But the head of the NASA Goaddard Institute for Space Studies is becoming increasingly frustrated with the reluctance of Government to take action. He has railed against coal-fired power stations, calling them "death factories" and called on the public to protest. His view may not be popular with politicians but he is still a respected scientist capable of frightening the public and perhaps President Obama himself into taking action.

"The greatest danger hanging over our children and grandchildren is initiation of changes that will be irreversible on any time scale that humans can imagine."

Nigel Lawson - Sceptical lord

The former chancellor of the exchequer has reinvented himself as the leader of the climate sceptics in the UK and internationally. He has set up the Global Warming Policy Foundation to allow scientists and commentators to question the consensus on global warming. The think tank is asked to comment on leading climate change stories and was a key critic of scientists during the "climategate" scandal. Lord Lawson of Blaby remains unconvinced that global warming is manmade.

"I think that the ordinary bloke has an instinctive sense that it wouldn't be too bad if the weather warmed up."

Eric Schmidt, Chief Executive of Google

Tackling climate change may need the help of Google. The world's leading Internet search engine is not only spreading information but providing many of the solutions to the problems of climate change. It is already possible to calculate a household's energy use through Google or to look at the carbon emissions of different countries. In the future the mapping system Google Earth could be used to measure rates of deforestation. Google itself is cutting down on its energy use by using renewable energy to power offices and the vast banks of computers needed to store information.

“Change occurs when people are scared.This is the time to have this conversation, set out bold agendas and go for it. You've got to go out and take a stand."