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ActivismAdaptationAgricultureAlgaeArchitectureArtBikingBiofuelsBiomimicryBusinessCampus SustainabilityClean Tech
Climate ChangeEconomicsEducationEfficiencyElectric CarsEnergy StorageEngineeringEPA P3GeothermalGreen BuildingGreen CitiesGreen CommunitiesGreen Living
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View all of the Innovative Ideas, Blog Posts, TV Segments, Science Corner Posts and Latest News or Ask an Expert in any of the topic areas below.
Activism (286 Ideas)
Once you've reduced your own energy use you might want to take your message to policy makers and help convince them to make a change. PF Members offer their solutions on how to turn great ideas into policy.
Once you've reduced your own energy use you might want to take your message to policy makers and help convince them to make a change. PF Members offer their solutions on how to turn great ideas into policy.
Adaptation (239 Ideas)
The planet is changing. The cockroaches will be fine, but what about us? See what these PF Members are doing to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The planet is changing. The cockroaches will be fine, but what about us? See what these PF Members are doing to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Agriculture (134 Ideas)
Eat better, smarter. Grow cleaner, more sustainable food. Great bumper stickers, but how do you do it? PF members offer their solutions on how use science and good practice to grow our food more sustainably.
Eat better, smarter. Grow cleaner, more sustainable food. Great bumper stickers, but how do you do it? PF members offer their solutions on how use science and good practice to grow our food more sustainably.
Algae (27 Ideas)
Put pond scum in you gas tank? It's not such a crazy idea. These Planet Forward members are figuring out how nature's little powerhouse could be fueling our future.
Put pond scum in you gas tank? It's not such a crazy idea. These Planet Forward members are figuring out how nature's little powerhouse could be fueling our future.
Architecture (241 Ideas)
Can we create a green American dream home? Can we take those green building methods to a larger scale? Can we build a green office park? PF Members think so.
Can we create a green American dream home? Can we take those green building methods to a larger scale? Can we build a green office park? PF Members think so.
Art (13 Ideas)
Like to bust a rhyme from time to time about our changing clime? Then this topic's for you. Words and pictures too.
Like to bust a rhyme from time to time about our changing clime? Then this topic's for you. Words and pictures too.
Biking (28 Ideas)
Do you love your bicycle, tricycle or fancy bike for two? Than, check out some of PF members’ ideas about using bikes as innovative solutions to some of today’s toughest transportation challenges.
Do you love your bicycle, tricycle or fancy bike for two? Than, check out some of PF members’ ideas about using bikes as innovative solutions to some of today’s toughest transportation challenges.
Biofuels (124 Ideas)
Algae! Trash! Poop! Organisms convert energy from the sun into energy for life. PF Members offer their solutions on how to turn that biomass into an energy source for mankind.
Algae! Trash! Poop! Organisms convert energy from the sun into energy for life. PF Members offer their solutions on how to turn that biomass into an energy source for mankind.
Biomimicry (14 Ideas)
Strong as on ox, fast as a cheetah, wily as a fox. And clever as a Planet Forward Member. 3.8 billion years of natural R&D has led to amazing natural adaptations that have inspired these PF Member ideas.
Strong as on ox, fast as a cheetah, wily as a fox. And clever as a Planet Forward Member. 3.8 billion years of natural R&D has led to amazing natural adaptations that have inspired these PF Member ideas.
BP Oil Spill (22 Ideas)
In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico killing 11 and spilling millions of barrels of oil. Energy choices have consequences. Stories from PF Members who live and work in the Gulf.
In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico killing 11 and spilling millions of barrels of oil. Energy choices have consequences. Stories from PF Members who live and work in the Gulf.
Business (292 Ideas)
Too often, a great idea doesn't fly because it has no business plan. Mushrooms as packing materials? The solar shower? Algae as green crude oil? PF Members have plans for that and many, many more.
Too often, a great idea doesn't fly because it has no business plan. Mushrooms as packing materials? The solar shower? Algae as green crude oil? PF Members have plans for that and many, many more.
Campus Sustainability (64 Ideas)
While college students may be in an ivory tower, college administrators are busy making colleges green. See what initiatives are making the green a banner color.
While college students may be in an ivory tower, college administrators are busy making colleges green. See what initiatives are making the green a banner color.
Clean Tech (437 Ideas)
Bigger, better and faster doesn't always have to mean more energy. PF Members offer their solutions on how technology can improve our lives AND have less impact on the planet.
Bigger, better and faster doesn't always have to mean more energy. PF Members offer their solutions on how technology can improve our lives AND have less impact on the planet.
Climate Change (222 Ideas)
Mankind has changed the world--and usually not for the better. Planet Forward community Members have some ideas for how to slow and even reverse that change.
Mankind has changed the world--and usually not for the better. Planet Forward community Members have some ideas for how to slow and even reverse that change.
Climate Leadership Awards (23 Ideas)
Colleges and Universities (23 Ideas)
Ideas for the future! Get all the best ideas from students around the world. Learn about our university partnerships
Ideas for the future! Get all the best ideas from students around the world. Learn about our university partnerships
Economics (100 Ideas)
Global climate change will have massive economic impact. Learn how changes in the environment will affect the bottom line for businesses and government and cost—or save—you money in your pocketbook.
Global climate change will have massive economic impact. Learn how changes in the environment will affect the bottom line for businesses and government and cost—or save—you money in your pocketbook.
Education (181 Ideas)
Innovation doesn't just happen in a beaker, some teachers are creating new ways to inspire students to learn more about climate change.
Innovation doesn't just happen in a beaker, some teachers are creating new ways to inspire students to learn more about climate change.
Efficiency (529 Ideas)
Can you really "do more with less?" Sure thing. PF Members tell you how here.
Can you really "do more with less?" Sure thing. PF Members tell you how here.
Electric Cars (133 Ideas)
Hybrids. Plug-ins. Solar panels on the car roof. You're heard a lot about electric vehicles, but you might also wonder about the trade-offs. PF Members offer their solutions on how they're using less to go far.
Hybrids. Plug-ins. Solar panels on the car roof. You're heard a lot about electric vehicles, but you might also wonder about the trade-offs. PF Members offer their solutions on how they're using less to go far.
Energy Storage (13 Ideas)
Engineering (335 Ideas)
If it gets built, there's an engineer involved somewhere. Check out some ideas on engineering the things we use everyday to be cleaner and more efficient.
If it gets built, there's an engineer involved somewhere. Check out some ideas on engineering the things we use everyday to be cleaner and more efficient.
EPA P3 (13 Ideas)
The US Environmental Protection Agency hosts the P3 – People, Prosperity, and the Planet—Program, which brings college students together to compete for designing solutions for a sustainable future.
The US Environmental Protection Agency hosts the P3 – People, Prosperity, and the Planet—Program, which brings college students together to compete for designing solutions for a sustainable future.
Geothermal (38 Ideas)
Pulling electricity out of a hole in the ground? In a manner of speaking, yes. PF members offer their solutions to tapping that renewable source.
Pulling electricity out of a hole in the ground? In a manner of speaking, yes. PF members offer their solutions to tapping that renewable source.
Green Building (269 Ideas)
While subdivisions may have driven the housing market of the 90s and 00s, the 10s are all about how to build green, and Planet Forward members know how!
While subdivisions may have driven the housing market of the 90s and 00s, the 10s are all about how to build green, and Planet Forward members know how!
Green Cities (16 Ideas)
More people live in cities now than in any other time in human history--nearly half the world’s population. They are the economic engines of our society, but they are also the source of 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Green cities are becoming smart cities, utilizing innovative technologies and policy initiatives to clean up their act.
More people live in cities now than in any other time in human history--nearly half the world’s population. They are the economic engines of our society, but they are also the source of 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Green cities are becoming smart cities, utilizing innovative technologies and policy initiatives to clean up their act.
Green Communities (291 Ideas)
It takes a village. Or a city. Some PF Member ideas for turning whole communities green.
It takes a village. Or a city. Some PF Member ideas for turning whole communities green.
Green Living (461 Ideas)
A lot of simple, seemingly insignificant things can add up to a positive and meaningful global change. PF Members have solutions to living a more sustainable day to day life.
A lot of simple, seemingly insignificant things can add up to a positive and meaningful global change. PF Members have solutions to living a more sustainable day to day life.
GreenGov (102 Ideas)
Bad News: the US Government uses more energy than any other entity on the planet. Good News: they're working on getting more efficient. Learn about some more ideas to help make Gov Green.
Bad News: the US Government uses more energy than any other entity on the planet. Good News: they're working on getting more efficient. Learn about some more ideas to help make Gov Green.
Health (47 Ideas)
Polluted air and rivers have acute local health effects and changing rainfall and temperature patterns cause global disruptions in supplies of food and clean water. Learn what is being done to mitigate the impact.
Polluted air and rivers have acute local health effects and changing rainfall and temperature patterns cause global disruptions in supplies of food and clean water. Learn what is being done to mitigate the impact.
Humor (29 Ideas)
Haha!
Haha!
Hybrid Vehicles (15 Ideas)
Its half gas. Its half electric. Its…a hybrid! But what are hybrid vehicles all about in the first place? PF members discuss their ideas about hybrid vehicles as a feasible alternative to the old-school gas-guzzlers on the roads.
Its half gas. Its half electric. Its…a hybrid! But what are hybrid vehicles all about in the first place? PF members discuss their ideas about hybrid vehicles as a feasible alternative to the old-school gas-guzzlers on the roads.
Hydroelectric (36 Ideas)
The river runs through this category. Dams, windmills, tidal flows, any way you can turn water flow into energy. PF members offer their solutions to capturing this energy.
The river runs through this category. Dams, windmills, tidal flows, any way you can turn water flow into energy. PF members offer their solutions to capturing this energy.
Innovation Summit (9 Ideas)
Military (19 Ideas)
The Military bears some of the most severe consequences of our energy policy around the world. PF Members show how energy security and drives for efficiency in the Military are driving innovation.
The Military bears some of the most severe consequences of our energy policy around the world. PF Members show how energy security and drives for efficiency in the Military are driving innovation.
Music (9 Ideas)
Sometimes a clean energy rap is music to our ears. Plug in your earphones and jack up the bass, we're having a good time.
Sometimes a clean energy rap is music to our ears. Plug in your earphones and jack up the bass, we're having a good time.
Natural Disasters (29 Ideas)
Natural Gas (49 Ideas)
In what some are calling the next gold rush, Natural Gas makes us go "boom!"
In what some are calling the next gold rush, Natural Gas makes us go "boom!"
Nuclear (55 Ideas)
Carbon-free but potentially dirty in other ways, nuclear energy is both praised and condemned. PF Members offer their solutions to how to fit nuclear power into our energy future.
Carbon-free but potentially dirty in other ways, nuclear energy is both praised and condemned. PF Members offer their solutions to how to fit nuclear power into our energy future.
Oceans (38 Ideas)
The ocean is the cradle of life on this planet. Minute changes have massive impacts on the climate and global ecosystems. The PF community has dozens of ideas on keeping oceans clean, using it to generate clean energy and more.
The ocean is the cradle of life on this planet. Minute changes have massive impacts on the climate and global ecosystems. The PF community has dozens of ideas on keeping oceans clean, using it to generate clean energy and more.
Policy (388 Ideas)
Not just talk: policy leads to law which leads to action. For example, EPA regulations have led to cleaner skies and water and more efficient vehicles. See how PF Members think we should be doing things.
Not just talk: policy leads to law which leads to action. For example, EPA regulations have led to cleaner skies and water and more efficient vehicles. See how PF Members think we should be doing things.
Public Transportation (32 Ideas)
Hate traffic? What about those never-ending gas bills? If so, than maybe its time to swap your hot rod for a bus pass or subway ticket! PF members offer ideas about swapping gas guzzles for public transportation alternatives.
Hate traffic? What about those never-ending gas bills? If so, than maybe its time to swap your hot rod for a bus pass or subway ticket! PF members offer ideas about swapping gas guzzles for public transportation alternatives.
Renewable Energy (230 Ideas)
Most of our ideas are focused on one kind of renewable energy, but if you want a catch-all for everything from solar to biomass, this is your topic.
Most of our ideas are focused on one kind of renewable energy, but if you want a catch-all for everything from solar to biomass, this is your topic.
Science (306 Ideas)
Not a rocket scientist? Not a problem: we've got scientists right here in the Planet Forward community offering an inside view of some of the astounding innovations underway in labs and schools around the world.
Not a rocket scientist? Not a problem: we've got scientists right here in the Planet Forward community offering an inside view of some of the astounding innovations underway in labs and schools around the world.
Smart Cities (12 Ideas)
Solar (310 Ideas)
Sunlight is the most abundant energy source known to man: it powers solar cells, warms the air and is the essential energy for photosynthesis. PF Members offer innovative plans to utilize this valuable resource.
Sunlight is the most abundant energy source known to man: it powers solar cells, warms the air and is the essential energy for photosynthesis. PF Members offer innovative plans to utilize this valuable resource.
Solar Decathlon (85 Ideas)
Every two years, collegiate teams compete to win a unique home contest: who's team can build a house that is completely solar powered, affordable and attractive to boot? See all the teams.
Every two years, collegiate teams compete to win a unique home contest: who's team can build a house that is completely solar powered, affordable and attractive to boot? See all the teams.
Transportation (259 Ideas)
Planet Forward Member ideas to make the path from Point A to Point B a lot greener.
Planet Forward Member ideas to make the path from Point A to Point B a lot greener.
Uncategorized (139 Ideas)
Oops! Someone didn't select a category. Who knows what lies behind this curtain?
Oops! Someone didn't select a category. Who knows what lies behind this curtain?
Water (131 Ideas)
The human body is 70% water. The surface of the earth is 70% water. It is THE most important substance for making life possible. Learn about insightful ideas for using water, keeping it clean and getting it where people need it.
The human body is 70% water. The surface of the earth is 70% water. It is THE most important substance for making life possible. Learn about insightful ideas for using water, keeping it clean and getting it where people need it.
Wind (113 Ideas)
Air moves, windmill spins, electricity is generated. Simple right? Not so fast: the Planet Forward community looks at this critical piece of the renewable energy mix from new and often surprising perspectives.
Air moves, windmill spins, electricity is generated. Simple right? Not so fast: the Planet Forward community looks at this critical piece of the renewable energy mix from new and often surprising perspectives.
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