If you want to know what the future will look like, the old adage goes, ask the people who will live it. I’m not so old myself, but I figured to make this even more true, I’d consult some of tomorrow’s leaders—specifically some who are working on the same types of issues we cover at National Geographic.

I kicked off my trip with about 40 students at San Diego State University. I wanted to talk with them about the road trip I’ve just begun, my  tour of California’s hottest and most innovative hubs to check out some solutions for the future. Many of the students worked on campus to help procure cleaner water, more locally-sourced food and energy efficiency. A handful