Planet Forward Frank Sesno

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!