Planet Forward

THIS WEEK: Did you know that the cost of using electricity changes throughout the day depending on the level of stress on our grid? In this webisode, Planet Forward talks to Quadlogic Controls Corporation in New York City about how smart meters can save us energy and money. FROM OUR BLOG: Check out PFF Sayre Swarztrauber’s blog post about smart meters and energy management. ALSO: Want to see other ways small businesses are working to de-stress our electricity grid? Duke alumnus David Brewster talks about how his company, EnerNOC, helps drive energy efficiency. FROM OUR NEWSDESK: The results are in! Here are 12 smart grid companies to watch in 2012.

THIS WEEK: Did you know the vegetable oil we use to make our french fries could also power our cars? In this webisode, Planet Forward drops by GreenLight BioFuels’ new plant in Maryland where they’ve been turning cooking waste into biofuel. FROM OUR BLOG: Check out Planet Forward host, Frank Sesno’s blog post about an innovative way to turn landfill trash into sustainable fuel. ALSO: Want to learn more about renewable fuels? President of Shell Oil, John Hofmeister talks about the importance of biofuels in a secure energy future. FROM OUR NEWSDESK: Berkeley scientists are looking into seaweed as a potential fuel source. Find out what they’ve discovered about this underwater alternative. Want to stay up to date with Planet Forward? Click here to subscribe to our email list!

THIS WEEK: This week Planet Forward is taking a look at the work PISA, a GW-based group, is doing in Nam Dinh, Vietnam. The women in Nam Dinh are adapting to a changing planet and they say they learned their tricks from none other than their ancestors! ASK AN EXPERT: Don't forget to ask a question to PISA expert, Linda Yarr, about the ladies of Nam Dinh and climate adaptation in Southeast Asia. MORE IDEAS: Worried about rising sea levels? Check out this idea from PFF Chutayaves Sinthuphan about floating houses and how they can help in our future. FROM OUR BLOG: Want to know what other countries are doing to be sustainable? Check out PFF Sarah Cahlan's photo blog about sustainable communities around the world! NEXT WEEK: Want to know who gets the title for the world's first LEED platinum auto plant? Tune in to next week's webisode and learn about what innovations make this auto plant the first of its kind!

THIS WEEK: Have you ever wondered 'What's something I do everyday that impacts the environment and I don't even know it?' #Thinkfwd student Charles Pulliam-Moore sheds light on an idea you might never have thought of: how green is YouTube? FROM OUR BLOG: Check out PFF Hayley Milon's blog post about how your YouTube consumption could be affecting the atmosphere. FROM OUR NEWSDESK: Facebook is already thinking about greening their servers. Check out what their plan is for their massive server farm in Sweden. FROM NBR: Tune in this week to the PBS Nightly Business Report to learn more about Ogranica's BlueHouse, which says it can turn your sewage into water you can use to water your plants!

THIS WEEK: Wish more of your tax dollars could stay in your pocket? This week Planet Forward spoke with some experts at the US Green Building Council about the potential savings in building more efficient schools! FROM OUR BLOG: Check out USGBC's statistics on improving schools and universities around the country and how much it can save in this week's guest blog. FROM OUR NEWSDESK: We could use the savings too, according to this article submitted by Planet Forward's Charlie Rybak which says the U.S. is seeing the most expensive natural disasters in history! FROM OUR PARTNERS: For more from USGBC experts Rachel Gutter and Rick Fedrizzi check out their ideas by going to the COMMIT!Forum group on PlanetForward.org!

THIS WEEK: Our rapidly increasing consumption of water is creating concerns about what the world would be like without any! One team, however, created an innovative solution to the planet's quickly disappearing water. Check it out in this week's webisode! ASK AN EXPERT: Also get the facts from AIA expert Bill Worthen about any risks related to recycled water and its systems. FROM OUR BLOG: Ever wanted to walk on water? How about live on it? Check out PFF Sarah Cahlan's blog postabout what these Thai houses are doing to stay afloat. TOP TWEET: Thanks to PFF Jordan Petitt for keeping us informed about issues with water: @justpetitt: Well this is frightening- the next 500 years of #sealevelrise@planet_forward ow.ly/7agJ3 #thinkfwd Before we let you go: At least we know these guys wouldn't be unhappy in a world without water! See how they make the best of a waterless pool!

THIS WEEK: Our friends at Second Nature have launched Campus Sustainability Day, so this week’s webisode features videos submitted to Planet Forward from audience members like YOU! We profile three schools that are working toward more sustainable college campuses. FROM OUR EXPERTS: See what sustainability chief Meghan Chapple-Brown has to say about what campuses can do to become sustainable. FROM OUR NEWSDESK: Thanks to PFF Joel Goldberg for offering a little support! Check out this article he submitted about how women's bras could be used as fuel. FROM OUR PARTNERS: Planet Forward showcases videos from across the country, submitted by viewers like YOU. Show us what's happening on your campus just like Caldwell College and University of Nebraska have done! FROM NBR: Middlebury College of Vermont knows what it means to be sustainable. The team won Planet Forward's contest and was featured in last week's PBS Nightly Business Report!

THIS WEEK: In this week's webisode: how to turn a Solar Decathlon house into a home. GW students Melissa Turley and Jon Fenech followed Team Empowerhouse through the Solar Decathlon. Their innovation? Making it affordable enough to be a Habitat for Humanity home. PLUS: Max Burns' blog post which takes a deeper look into affordable green housing. ANNOUNCEMENT: Congratulations to Team Middlebury for winning Planet Forward's Solar Decathlon Contest! You voted 'em so tune into the NBR piece on Oct. 20th, which will feature Middlebury and the team's major innovations. FROM OUR BLOG: Check out this week's blog post by Anthony Cefali about how some living plants in your home can improve air quality. Brown thumbs need not apply... FROM OUR NEWSDESK: Thank you to PFF Sarah Cahlan for submitting this piece about Participant Media's upcoming documentary. Check it out to learn more about water conservation and how it's plaguing our planet. BEFORE WE LET YOU GO: We know that sometimes the search for affordable housing can make people feel stuck, so we're trying to shed some humor on the situation!

THIS WEEK: Check out this week's webisode where Planet Forward's Frank Sesno interviews Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu on site at the 2011 Solar Decathlon! Chu talks about some of the coolest innovations in the houses, and even wonks out a bit on r values and building materials. STANDINGS: The official DOE final standings for the solar decathlon put the University of Maryland on top (congrats, Terps!) followed by Purdue, New Zealand and Middlebury. But we have our own contest and YOU are the judge. Vote for which team was your favorite at www.PlanetForward.org and maybe you can see them featured in a PBS Nightly Business Report! FROM OUR BLOG: Check out Planet Forward's Max Burns' blog post this week about the University of Maryland's 1st place win! FROM OUR PARTNERS: Want to know what a professional architect has to say about the different solar decathlon houses? Check out Planet Forward's Ask an Expert page and ask Bill Worthen what he thinks about your favorite innovation! FROM NBR: Check out last week's Nightly Business Report where Frank Sesno discusses the functionality and marketability of different innovations from the solar decathlon! TRENDING TWEETS: Follow the USGBC this week and their Green Build Next Conference at #GBNext! TOP TWEET: Thanks to PFF Sara Snyder for the Top Tweet! SSnyd: You have to check out the way this guy uses his space. @planet_forwardshould try this with the office.look@ 2m http://ow.ly/6IzsV #thinkfwd

THIS WEEK: Check out this week's webisode where Planet Forward's host Frank Sesno speaks with Don Ferrier, President of Ferrier Custom Homes. Ferrier discusses the costs and benefits of green roofs -- LITERALLY -- some costing up to $20,000. See why Ferrier himself thinks the benefits of this cooling system outweigh the costs. FROM NBR: Have you been watching this solar decathlon stuff and thinking: "Yeah, but does this all really WORK?" Tune in for Planet Forward's PBS Nightly Business Report to learn about some of the coolest innovations at the Solar Decathlon and hear some tough questions about how practical they really are. Check your local listings to find out when to tune in! VOTE: Want to see your favorite Solar Decathlon team featured on PBS' Nightly Business Report? Log on to Planet Forward now and Like your favorite team! The winner gets featured on NBR in Ocotber! ASK AN EXPERT: Planet Forward expert Bill Worthen is at the Solar Decathlon answering your questions. TRUE LOVE: Which Solar Decathlon house is your dream home? Take our quiz and find out! MORE ON ROOFS: Which is better green or white? We addressed that common question in one of our weekly webisodes from our archives.

THIS WEEK: We continue our journey to the Solar Decathlon! The teams are in Washington DC and showing off their homes. Check out Team New York's Roof Pod -- it sits atop a sky rise building and helps generate power. PLUS: Brendan Owens, Planet Forward's newest Expert weighs in on New York's use of bamboo and other new building materials. See more from Brendan and Planet Forward's Experts on our Ask an Expert page. CONTEST: Want to see your favorite Solar Decathlon team featured on Nightly Business Report? LIKE the team on Planet Forward.org. Get your likes in by October 10th! We'll showcase the team that has the most likes! TRUE LOVE: Which Solar Decathlon house is your dream home? Play our Matchmaker Quiz and find out! MORE: Like Team New York's plan for sustainable living in the city? There's plenty more where that came from! Check out these videos from the C40 -- mayors and Governors share their ideas to bring sustainability to their city. BEFORE WE LET YOU GO: Feeling left out of all the creativity that's going on at the Solar Decathlon? Visit this interactive world of doodles and exercise your creativity!

THIS WEEK: In this week's webisode check out the New Zealand team's neat innovations like the hydronic drying cupboard that can dry 6 bath towels in an hour and a half using...water? MORE FROM THE SOLAR DECATHLON: Don't forget to check out all the other Solar Decathlon teams and let us know what you think. LIKE your favorite and it could be PF's next webisode!! We'll feature the team that got the most likes next month on Nightly Business Report! STANDINGS: Right now, Team New York is crushing with more than 200 likes! University of Maryland is in a close second with 130 likes. Show your school spirit and help your favorite team get on TV! FROM OUR BLOG: Check out Planet Forward's Susanna Murley and how she thinks the Solar Decathlon could help create green jobs for Americans!! See her blog post on Huffington Post! FROM OUR PARTNERS: Bracken Hendricks argues that we can still grow green jobs in a tough economy. FROM NBR: Did you know the Empire State Building just received the GOLD standard for LEED certification? Check out our PBS Nightly Business Report to see how! NEXT WEEK: Keep checking in to see what teams are in the lead for the Solar Decathlon!! Like YOUR favorite team and maybe you'll see them come out on TOP! TOP TWEET: Thanks to @franksesno for this #sunnyideas: Climate changing? Gonna do something about it? He's already started. http://ow.ly/6q6N0 for more ideas go to Planet Forward #sunnyideas BEFORE WE LET YOU GO: Feeling nerdy? Want to make your own solar lamp out of household materials?

Viewers voted and TENNESSEE is on top in the race for the Solar Decathlon! Check out the Tennessee team's use of solar energy, insulated windows and a remote control iPad in their innovative new approach to a sustainable lifestyle. Also this week, ask expert Bill Worthen what HIS thoughts are on the Tennessee team's Living Light House. GET ON TOP: Want to see your favorite solar decathlon team's video featured here? LIKE them! FROM #SUNNYIDEAS: #Sunnyideas is Planet Forward's Solar Decathlon hashtag. Share your #Sunnyidea and maybe YOU can be featured here! Thanks to @MPGomatic for this #Sunnyidea RT: No hot water? A (n)ice cold shower saves water while eliminating the need for that third cup of coffee. IN THE NEWS: A solar powered charging kit brought to you by PFF Kristina Sgueglia. Thanks, Kristina. Submit your news item to our Newsdesk. FROM the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS: Meet Planet Forward Expert Bill Worthen. Bill will be commenting on the Solar Decathlon videos throughout the month. Got a question for Bill or one of the other Planet Forward Experts? Check out Planet Forward's Ask an Expert. (Experts are standing by.) NEXT WEEK: More from the Solar Decathlon. Want to influence which team we feature next? LIKE your favorite team! FROM @SOLARCRICKET: Do you like solar energy? Help stop the haters like this guy and LIKE your favorite Solar Decathlon teams. The @SolarCricket is counting on YOU!

This week, we begin Planet Forward's coverage of the Solar Decathlon! 20 collegiate teams from around the world are designing and building sustainable solar homes. 11 of the teams have submitted their innovations to Planet Forward. In this week's WEBISODE, we take a look at the unique use of water in The University of Maryland's home. WE'VE GOT SPIRIT, HOW 'BOUT YOU? Want to participate in Planet Forward's coverage of the Solar Decathlon? LIKE for your favorite team, VOTE your favorite idea and TWEET #SunnyIdeas MORE ON #SUNNYIDEAS: Planet Forward's Innovator Danny Kennedy is the founder of solar company Sungevity. In our Innovator Update, we see how he is doing on his goal of eastward expansion. FROM OUR BLOG: Have a twitter account? We're taking your ideas about the Solar Decathlon teams through twitter. Planet Forward's Susanna Murley, tells you what PF is looking for. FROM NREL: Ever heard of a sky trough? Planet Forward visits the National Renewable Energy Labs to find out. FROM NBR: Last month, Planet Forward was on PBS Nightly Business Report introducing the Solar Decathlon. How do you think the liberal arts students at Middlebury will do against the engineering schools? NEXT WEEK: More from the Solar Decathlon. Want to influence which team we feature next? LIKE for your favorite team, VOTE your favorite idea and TWEET #SunnyIdeas. Got it?

In this week’s WEBISODE we travel to Bangkok to see what they are doing to cope with floods. PF Producer Victoria Riess talks with Porntep Techapaibul, the Deputy Governor of Bangkok.

In this week's WEBISODE Planet Forward host Frank Sesno sits down with Harry Shearer, the multi-talented comedian who is the voice of more than 21 Simpsons characters and host of his own radio program, "le Show." Shearer, a part-time resident of New Orleans, recently directed a documentary on what he calls the 'hard truths' behind Hurricane Katrina. The Big Uneasy takes a look at the real reasons why New Orleans flooded (hint: think man-made screw-ups, not natural disaster) and how marshlands can be nature's buffer against storms.

Here is a new way to deliver energy to those who need it. The women in one small community in Guatemala have wind, they just need a way to harness it. Enter enthusiastic students from the University of Michigan College of Engineering. In this week’s WEBISODE, we run their woven wind turbine innovation by Claudio Martinez from the Union of Concerned Scientists. MORE on the UCS: The USC submitted ideas to Planet Forward.org! Check them out here! THEN, submit your own! MORE on the U of Michigan: Students have a bright idea on solar! RELATED: Planet Forward Friend Oxfam America brings you climate survival strategies from the frontlines. AND: Columbia University’s Engineers without Borders make life more comfortable and sustainable for those in Obodan, Ghana. FROM OUR NEWSDESK: Germany’s power grid gets ready for offshore wind! Thanks, Laura DiMugno for sharing that news! Before we let you go, here’s one more vid to keep you entertained. Ducks Blown off Their Feet by the Wind Thanks to @Likeitalotte for naming this week’s webisode! If YOU want to name next week’s follow @Planet_Forward on Twitter and look for the hashtag #MyHeadline!

A rising tide may lift all boats, but what does it do to marshlands? In this week’s WEBISODE we showcase NSF funded marine scientist Dr. Nathaniel Weston’s work on how marshes are affected by sea level rise. We also take you on a trip halfway around the world to learn what women in Vietnam are doing to remove salt water from their rice paddies.

Innovators need feedback to make their great ideas even better. So, we try to connect experts with our PF innovators every chance we get. In our WEBISODE this week, a top architect gives feedback to 3 ideas — green urban rooftops, hemp-based building materials and large-scale passive solar. Bill Worthen, the National Director and Resource Architect for Sustainability at the American Institute of Architects, sat down with Frank Sesno to talk about the pro’s and con’s of each idea.

Would you climb a 300 foot tree to measure climate change? This week our WEBISODE focuses on some pretty daring work done by a research team from Humboldt State University led by Steve Sillet. The folks at KQED/Quest uploaded a video showing how Steve and his team climb Redwood giants to measure (literally measure, like, with really long measuring tape) the impact of climate change on Earth’s tallest forest. These measurements give Sillet and his team a sense of how trees have historically responded to climate change, and what the future looks like for these treasures.

This WEBISODE focuses on Dom Bosco Catholic University’s biochemistry laboratory in Campo Grande, Brazil. Dom Bosco is experimenting with a plant called bocaiúva, a native palm which could yield a new source of renewable energy.

This week, our WEBISODE focuses on “GreenStreets,” a project from Drexel University Professor and NSF funded scientist, Franco Montalto. Greenstreets are vegetated spaces in cities that help: -Manage Storm Water -Mitigate Air Pollution -Reduce Urban Heat Island Effect

Planet Forward met up with Bill Nye at the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards last week. See what the first item on his #EnergyToDo list is. Tell us yours on twitter. (@Planet_Forward, #EnergyToDo)

Who knew lessons from preschool could apply to smart communities and our energy solution?! Check out this new initiative in Washington DC that takes the concept of sharing to a whole new level. Would you ditch your ride for one of these shared EVs?PLUS: Watch out for these Rebels! See how Ole Miss is doing on itsbike share program AND: You may be better at sharing than you thought. A ;video

Can your community turn tragedy into opportunity? Bill Worthen, American Institute of Architects’ National Director and Resource Architect for Sustainability, sits down with us via skype to talk about LEED certification and how disaster can provide opportunity to build back better.

Planet Forward’s television special, “The Energy of Innovation,” or what some are calling “Innovation Idol” features some of the best ideas submitted to PlanetForward.org on our energy future. Hundreds submitted. Thousands voted. Two will win.

In this week’s webisode, we bring you an idea from the National Science Foundation about the benefits of green roofs. Also hear from a Planet Forward member who shows us her small business of painting roofs white for an environmental benefit.

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner may hit a little too close to home for the citizens of Mauritius. In this week’s webisode, take a trip to the small island with the help of Planet Forward member Matt Gray and learn about one way the smart community is trying to fix their water management problem.

Do you know of a community that is preparing for climate change? Planet Forward host Frank Sesno introduces our new topic and asks you to share your story!

Introducing the All Topics Page! It’s your source for finding ideas in all categories on Planet Forward. Susanna Murley, your Planet Forward web manager shows you how to use it! Have fun exploring!

Have you heard the news? Planet Forward’s News Desk allows you to share stories in a different way! Web manager Susanna Murley shows you how…

If you saw our ;PBS special , then you know who our studio audience chose to be one of the Planet Forward Innovators of the Year. Not it’s your turn to

Gas prices. Nuclear worries. Oil spills.Are there any new energy innovations out there to help us kick our petroleum habit? The answer might lie in a microscopic single-cell plant, a landfill or an iconic building.For the last few months, YOU have shared your innovations to help improve how we use or generate energy.We narrowed down a pool of hundreds to just seven finalists.Who will be named Planet Forward’s Innovator of the Year? Watch and find out!

Planet Forward caught up with students from Caldwell College, Columbia University, George Washington University, and University ;of Arkansas at Fayetteville, top vote getters in Planet Forward’s online competition! These students reflect on their experiences with Planet Forward and share what it feels like to be on national television!

Just over a week until Planet Forward’s April PBS Special airs. Check your local listings to see when you should tune in! This week, we introduce you to your Planet Forward host, Frank Sesno as he explains his vision for the Planet Forward project and what impact the Innovator of the Year can have!

Our April PBS special is right around the corner! Meet the panelists and check your local listings to see when the special is airing in your area. You don’t want to miss Andrew Revkin, New York Times Environment Reporter and Dot.earth blogger, Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, and Thomas Connelly, Chief Innovation Officer of DuPont weigh in on who should be Planet Forward’s Innovator of the Year.

Behind the scenes of Planet Forward’s April PBS Special, hear from the program’s director and watch our set be built before your very eyes! Tune in April 8th 2011 to see the program. Check your local listings for times.

Who will be our two Innovators of the Year? At Planet Forward’s April 2011 PBS special, you’ll learn who the live studio audience chose, and then you’ll have a chance to vote on who will be our Online Innovator of the Year! Meet some of the finalists and start to make your picks!

Your viability ratings helped us select 22 nominees, then your votes determined the Top Three Online Vote Getters. These three pieces were chosen by you to be on our April PBS prime time special. Check them out and learn what you can do to help us make the show! Be sure to comment on our ;nominees

Arizona State University is a cutting edge research institution. Lightworks is a ground breaking initiative focusing on harnessing the sun and transforming it into energy.

Students at the University of Nebraska are developing technology to combat vampire energy and we want to know if you think it’s a good idea. What are your thoughts on these smart houses?

During his State of the Union address, President Obama set a new goal: by 2035, 80 percent of America’s electricity will come from clean energy sources. The President is looking for innovations and investment in renewables, clean coal, nuclear and natural gas.

Erin Parsons and Lexi Combs, Planet Forward members and students at Ole Miss, share an innovation that is making bussing around Mississippi the hot new trend.

Environmental artist Rein Triefeldt calls on more than just stone to make his sculptures. In this week’s webisode, we look at his innovative way of making solar beautiful. Sorry Garden Gnome, these front lawn ornaments aren’t just pretty decoration, they produce energy too.

Environmental artist Rein Triefeldt calls on more than just stone to make his sculptures. In this week’s webisode, we look at his innovative way of making solar beautiful. Sorry Garden Gnome, these front lawn ornaments aren’t just pretty decoration, they produce energy too...

The Rockville Maryland Ice Arena is powering almost a third of its energy use from the sun. In this week’s webisode, Planet Forward features a video that explains how.

As the climate negotiations come to a close in Cancun, we ask environmental reporter Kate Sheppard of Mother Jones what can we expect in the way of an agreement?

The climate talks have begun in Cancun. How will things fair in comparison to Copenhagen last year? Planet Forward host Frank Sesno chats via skype with environmental reporter Kate Sheppard of Mother Jones to get the latest.

In this week's webisode, Planet Forward host Frank Sesno interviews Haynesville Director Gregory Kallenberg about his natural gas film and where gas fits in our energy future.

Last month Planet Forward test drove Nissan’s Leaf…this month, we show you one way you may be able to afford solar panels with zero upfront costs. Check out our piece on PBS’s Nightly Business Report and let us know what you think of Planet Forward member Danny Kennedy’s business model.

Ecovative Design is growing packaging material and other products to replace styrofoam and plastic. ;Their secret?