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Topic Page: Green Living
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. Have an idea in Green Living? Tell us
Related Categories : | Activism | Efficiency | Renewable Energy |
Featured Ideas
Webisodes Related to Green Living
Beer as a Model for Sustainable Business
THIS WEEK: Holy cow! This week Planet Forward got up close and personal with some Virginia livestock. DC Brau, the first local brewery in D.C. feeds their organic waste to livestock in the Virginia area. Take a look!
Learning How to Adapt from our Ancestors
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!
An Innovative Approach to Water Conservation
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!
Living Sustainably on a College Campus
We profile three schools that are working toward more sustainable college campuses.
Empowerhouse: Community-Based Sustainable Living
THIS WEEK: 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.
WATCH!
A Solar Conversation with Secretary Chu
THIS WEEK: In this week’s webisode, Planet Forward’s Frank Sesno interviews Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu at the 2011 Solar Decathlon! Chu talks about the coolest innovations, and even wonks out a bit on r-values and building materials.
Solar and the City – Team New York’s Solar Decathlon House
THIS WEEK’s WEBISODE: The Solar Decathlon teams are in Washington DC! 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 the use of new building materials.
WATCH!
‘The Big Uneasy,’ The PF Interview with Harry Shearer
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 about his documentary on Hurricane Katrina The Big Uneasy
WATCH!
Energy Secretary Bill Nye?
Planet Forward met up with Bill Nye at the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards last week. See the first item on his #EnergyToDo list. Tell us yours on twitter. (@Planet_Forward)
ICLEI’s Martin Chavez On Sustainable Growth & Smart Cities
This week, Planet Forward host Frank Sesno sits down with Martin Chavez, Executive Director of ICLEI. The focus? Smart cities! Learn what your city can do to grow and adapt to a changing planet. More>>
LEEDing after Disaster: AIA Architect on Why You Should
Can your community turn tragedy into opportunity? Bill Worthen, American Institute of Architects’ National Director and Resource Architect for Sustainability, sits down with us to talk about LEED certification and how disaster can provide opportunity to build back better.
Raise the Roof!
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 Phantom of the Outlet
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?
Get Charged Up for Project Get Ready, a Planet Forward Nominee
There is a lot of talk surrounding electric cars at this years’ auto show, but until charging stations are readily accessibly, will drivers really feel comfortable with the idea of a battery-powered vehicle? Project Get Ready is trying to allay that concern and is one of Planet Forward’s nominees.
Solar Artist Sculpts with Renewables
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. Watch>>
The Rink of Fire
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.
Ditch the Peanuts, Pack with Shrooms
In this week’s webisode, Planet Forward host Frank Sesno skypes with Eben Bayer, CEO and Co-Founder of Ecovative Design about the company’s sustainable product that is replacing styrofoam packaging material and home insulation. Watch>>
Ogden’s Green City on a Hill
Planet Forward hosted a LIVE event during the White House’s GreenGov Symposium, a conference focused on making all levels of government more sustainable. In this week’s webisode, the U.S. General Services Administration shows how restoring a building can change a city, even if it means moving some bats! Click on the video to learn what …Read More…
Robert Stone Tells The History of Earth Day on PBS
Planet Forward host Frank Sesno talks with the producer/director of PBS’s Earth Days (premiering on April 19, 2010) about the history of day and what really has changed in the last 40 years since the very first Earth Day. Watch Part 1 of our interview with Robert Stone here>>
Robert Stone, Director of “Earth Days”, Takes Member Questions
Planet Forward host, Frank Sesno, poses questions to Robert Stone, the director of the American Experience film “Earth Days.” Find out what surprising scientific evidence was announced on the very first earth day. “Earth Days” premieres on Facebook, April 11, and on PBS April 19. Watch Part 2 of our interview with Robert Stone here>>
Bike Curious in Rhode Island
Planet Forward host Frank Sesno introduces a video about one college professor’s commitment to reducing his carbon footprint…even in the dead of a New England winter.
Gold, Silver, Bronze, & Green
Planet Forward host, Frank Sesno, talks via Skype with Jack Hidary, venture capitalist and founder of the Freedom Prize. Hidary discusses Vancouver’s efforts to host a ‘green’ Olympics and talks about what other cities could do to similarly reduce their carbon footprint.
God Save the Climate
From the Archives: What role should religious institutions play in addressing issues of climate change? In answer, one filmmaker from UNC’s “Powering a Nation” initiative explores how religious leaders are grappling with climate change and what they feel their responsibility should be both to the earth and to their flock.
Engage, Enlighten, Educate
A film team from the George Washington University recently ventured out to a local DC elementary school to look at Casey Trees outreach program to schools. Who doesn’t love cute kids saving the world?
Van Jones on Obama’s Fuel Efficiency Standards
Part 3 of a 3 part series See Part 1: Van Jones on Community Solar and Wind Energy See Part 2: Van Jones on What Individuals Can Do to Increase Efficiency Former green jobs adviser to the White House and founder of environmental justice group, Green For All, Van Jones joins Planet Forward’s Frank Sesno in …Read More…
Van Jones on Community Solar and Wind Energy
Part 1 of a 3 part series See Part 2: Van Jones on What Individuals Can Do to Increase Efficiency See Part 3: Van Jones on Obama’s Fuel Efficiency Standards Former green jobs adviser to the White House and founder of environmental justice group, Green For All, Van Jones joins Planet Forward’s Frank Sesno in a …Read More…
Planet Forward: Our Energy Future
Our first TV special focused on great ideas from you, our members, about how we as a country should approach our energy future. Originally broadcast on April 15, 2009 on PBS.
Solar Panels: From the Home to the Lab at the National Renewable Energy Labs
Planet Forward host, Frank Sesno visits with a homeowner with a passion for solar – National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) researcher Steve Robins built his own home energy system from the technologies he helped develop in the lab. He produces more energy than he uses and gets a check from the power company for the …Read More…
Your (Grand)Parent’s Grid or a Smart Grid? From the National Renewable Energy Labs
It’s almost as universal to our lives as air, but how many of us really know where our electricity comes from or how it gets to our homes? Is our energy infrastructure up to the 21st consumer’s demands? Is it really worth the investment to upgrade. Some 30 percent of the grid is 40 to …Read More…
What’s at Stake in Copenhagen? An Interview with Mike Tidwell, CCAN
Planet Forward host Frank Sesno interviews Mike Tidwell, head of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, via Skype from Copenhagen. Hear why the best thing we can do for the environment might be to stop ‘going green.’
TV Segments Related to Green Living
Pursuing a Safer, Sustainable, Lithium Battery
In our wireless world, you’re nowhere without a good battery and a solid connection. But, wouldn’t it be better if we could improve both…and use less energy? Researchers at the University of Maryland is looking to polymers – like plastics, or rubber – to save energy and change how we stay connected. The team replaces …Read More…
Solar Innovations at the Solar Decathlon
Lean green design teams from around the world produced some winning ideas at this year’s Solar Decathlon. Maryland won DOE’s top prize, but we staged our own vote. From Vermont, Middlebury College got the nod.
Watch
Solar Decathlon: The Race to Build the Most Efficient Solar Home
Peek into the solar powered house designs from Middlebury College in Vermont and University of Maryland. It’s all for the Solar Decathlon competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Building a Green Community
When Greensburg, Kansas was devastated by a tornado in 2007 the residents took it as an opportunity to rebuild as an environmentally friendly town. Watch our latest piece from PBS’ Nightly Business Report.
Home Energy Saving Device
Can researchers find an easy button that will get Americans to save energy? Some experts say we waste 40% of our energy in our homes. Could this be the gigantic energy reserve, hidden right under our doorsteps, that we need?
Leasing the Sun: An Innovative Business Model from Sungevity
Last month we 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.
Behind the Scenes: Planet Forward’s New NBR Segment
This Thursday, Planet Forward member Danny Kennedy, will show you his idea on PBS’s Nightly Business Report. Check out this behind the scenes reel from our NBR shoots and don’t forget to set your DVRs to record Nightly Business Report this Thursday.
Planet Forward Test Drives the Nissan Leaf
In Planet Forward’s premier segment on Nightly Business Report, host Frank Sesno takes the Nissan Leaf for a spin and crunches the numbers to see if the car’s green technology is worth the extra green from your wallet.
Articles From the Blog Related to Green Living
Minnesota Goes Green
Happy Birthday, Minnesota! Today in 1858, Minnesota was admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state. To celebrate, we’re going to take a look at what’s going on in the land of 10,000 lakes to make the state turn from blue…to green! We’ve partnered with Minnesota 2020 to get great stories from the north. From …Read More…
The Center for Green Schools and Princeton Review Release Free Guide to 322 Green Colleges
By Kristin Simmons Ferguson Higher Ed Associate, Center for Green Schools For the third year in a row, we at the Center for Green Schools are pleased to celebrate today’s release of The Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green College: 2012 Edition. This year’s guide profiles 322 institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada that demonstrate …Read More…
What’s Your #InnovationChallenge?
We’ve seen businesses, colleges and communities turn energy innovations into action, but what are you doing? We challenge you to make a difference in your daily life. Is this the year you install a rain barrel and use less water? Are you going to save your company energy and money by linking your building to its neighbors or …Read More…
Planting Season
Tis’ the Season for Planting! This week’s newsletter focuses on promoting the innovation of produce. With the recent spikes in temperatures across the globe, it seems as though spring is right around the corner, which means planting season is not far behind. Lately natural gas, green technology, solar panels and things of the like have …Read More…
Every Penny Counts: Tracking Building Performance to Save Money and Resources
Lauren Riggs, LEED AP Manager, LEED Performance U.S. Green Building Council This post originally appeared on FacilitesNet. In today’s economy, every penny counts. And as building owners and facility managers know all too well, every penny adds up. When the lights in your 30-story office building are left on an extra hour each day, or …Read More…
Initiating Innovation at the Solar Decathlon and EPA P3
The 2011 Solar Decathlon officially ended on October 2nd when director Richard King sent a warm thank you to everyone involved. But the Solar Decathlon happens every two years, and King ended his thank you like a starter cuing off a race. “I can’t wait to do this again!” he wrote with refreshing sincerity and energy.
But it’s true, we all can’t wait to do it all over again. But, what’s next? Why do government agencies take on competitions like these? PF’s Anthony Cefali takes a look>>
On Houses and Homes: Top 5 Stories Behind Solar Decathlon Entries
We build houses, but it’s the living in a house that makes it a home. Every home — even your home — has a history that represents who lived there and how they lived. The same goes for the houses in Solar Decathlon. While they’re lauded for their innovation, they also use their region’s rich …Read More…
A Window Into Efficiency
Every year, I spend countless hours putting those plastic sheets over my windows for insulation. The bigger the window, the bigger the pane in the glass, the more time I spend and the more energy I lose to the winter. We often neglect insulation when it comes to energy expenditures because it only lowers heating …Read More…
Speed Limit: Myself
Did you know that May is Bike Month? Our intern Max Chen reflects on his love for biking and shares his bike picks from the Planet Forward archive.
Read it
Baby, it’s cold outside!
The weather outside is finally changing. Everyone is donning their puffy winter jackets. One thing everyone does during the winter is try to make themselves comfortable with the frigid temperatures outside. Here are five elements that you can look at in your home that will keep you, your family and your wallets comfortable. Heating – …Read More…
Towards a Renewable Business Model
I admire the entrepreneurial spirit of renewable businesses. In some ways they exemplify the best of the capitalist tradition. What are renewable entrepreneurs if not the wildest of wildcat companies, pushing the envelope ever further into new and exciting technology. Not every idea can hope for success, but well-developed companies like FirstSolar persevere. Then there …Read More…
Empire State of Energy
The iconic Empire State Building just took a gigantic green leap with building renovations that do more than scrape the surface of energy efficiency. You’ve seen the benefits of weatherization, but New York City’s trademark skyscraper takes it to a whole new level. (104 levels up to be precise.) The Empire State building has successfully …Read More…
Hey America, pick up your CO2!
One of the first lessons we learn in Kindergarten is to pick up after ourselves. Apparently the lesson doesn’t stick well. Americans are producing more waste and using more energy than we ever have before, and if this energy crisis is going to be solved, we need to stand up and take responsibility. If little Tommy played …Read More…
Viva Green Vegas!
Las Vegas is considered a city of excess, with its neon lights, massive buffets, and perhaps too many Elvis impersonators. Lately, Vegas hotels and casinos are keen on a new green trend. For example, the awe-inspiring CityCenter conglomerate with the world’s first green fleet of stretch limousines and energy-efficient slot machines. The 18-million square feet …Read More…
Sampling Solar in Saudi Arabia
When most people think of Saudi Arabia, they think oil. But now, the world’s largest oil exporter is taking steps toward solar. SolFocus, a California-based solar power developer, recently announced plans to install Saudi Arabia’s first commercial solar power plant. The system, located in Bahra, will also be the largest concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) system in …Read More…
Save Water, Save Energy, Save the Planet
It’s time for a restructuring of America’s sewage system. When you flush waste and water down the toilet, it takes energy to pump and filter that water. And much of our country’s energy is created through the burning of harmful fossil fuels. So how do we use less water and energy? The answer? It’s a …Read More…
Sip On This
So you’re thirsty — You reach for a bottle of cool, refreshing spring water, right? I guess that’s fine and all. Can you tell me where that water comes from or how it gets to your fridge? It’s actually rather interesting when you get down to it. Americans consume 33 billion liters of bottled water a …Read More…
Solar Energy Overflow in Germany
Wait…too much solar energy? These are words I thought I would never hear but as with anything in life, too much of a good thing always spells bad news. According to Stephan Kohler, chairman of the German Energy Agency (DENA), there is too much solar energy flowing into the country’s aging energy grid and it …Read More…
Ten Outrageously Easy Ways to Be Green
I will openly admit that I am not a treehugger. I’m not a vegetarian, I don’t watch those PETA videos about animal cruelty, and I certainly would not consider myself the most energy efficient student on the block. Don’t hate me just yet. I like to think of myself as the leading example for all …Read More…
Bundle Up the Savings!
Bundle up! It’s getting cold out there, which reminds us of all that fall fun that comes with the changing weather. Colorful scarf’s, your favorite pea coat, brisk walks, hot coco and higher energy bills! Ok, so maybe your not really looking forward to that last one, but unfortunately it’s a bitter cold reality. In …Read More…
Believe it or not, climate doesn’t vote
Next week’s elections might affect climate and energy conservation less than you might think. Although politico says that it will be difficult for GOP candidates to succeed unless they are climate change deniers, evidence suggests that stance may not be so important in terms of protecting the environment if you approach it for the right reasons. …Read More…
A Crash Course in Energy Efficiency
What does it mean to be energy efficient? Well, according to the Alliance to Save Energy, all it means is doing more with less energy. It seems simple enough, doesn’t it? I figured why not show some informational videos, movements and facts about energy efficiency in homes and businesses. In September, the Environmental and Energy …Read More…
Can’t stand the heat? Get insulation!
Think turning down the AC is the only way to decrease energy use for heating and cooling in your home? Think again. According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for 56% of the energy usage in your home. You can change this. You don’t have to get rid of your heater or …Read More…
The Road from Farm to Table
“Think of the pollution and the global warming caused by its transport. Think of the ascendancy of corporate agribusiness over family farms. Think of the loss of nutrients during a weeklong journey from soil to supermarket.” – Time.com Like many visitors to a farmers market on a sunny Sunday morning, I would usually take my …Read More…
From Beer to Biofuel
A brewery in England has started stirring up more than beer. Photo courtesy of Urban75.org (http://www.urban75.org/photos/suffolk/southwold-signs.html) Are American breweries behind? Maybe they should hop on board the trend to become energy independent behind leader Adnams Southwold, an English microbrewery! The brewery has created the first plant of its kind to produce biomethane from its beer …Read More…
Quantifying My Impact–Energy by the Numbers
When it comes to energy use, lots of numbers get thrown around. Trillions of tons of carbon emissions, gazillions of gallons of gasoline, such-and-such percent increase in greenhouse gases…you get the idea. My question is: At what number do we need to care? There are so many measurements of community pollution problems, how can individuals …Read More…
Top 10: Outrageously easy ways to be green
I will openly admit that I am not a treehugger. I’m not a vegetarian, I don’t watch those PETA videos about animal cruelty, and I certainly would not consider myself the most energy efficient student on the block. Don’t hate me just yet. I like to think of myself as the leading example for all …Read More…
Are You Sealing and Saving?
I had never heard about energy audits before I shot a piece on Pascal Maslin, a local Washington, D.C. energy efficiency expert. Much less did I know that the single biggest contributor to inefficient homes is not insulation or appliances rather insufficient sealing. Now that may or may not come as a surprise but Pascal’s …Read More…
Farm to Table 101: Eating Local D.C.
Bananas from Ecuador — 2,700 miles. Grapes from Chile — 5,000 miles. Apples from New Zealand — 8,600 miles. Buying food from in the U.S. often resembles a frequent flier mile stat sheet. These miles mean wasted energy and detrimental impact to the environment. However, almost every major city in America has the ability to …Read More…
“Stuff” Abuse: You’re addicted, and the Environment is paying for it.
Mother Nature has a bone to pick with your “stuff.” Since you were young you’ve probably heard the echo’s of parents, teachers, estranged hippies, and even Barney (yes, I’m a 90’skid) encouraging you to conserve energy and protect the environment. They’d urge you to ride your bike, flick off the light, and turn bottle caps …Read More…
Government and Private Sector Come Together: Greengov 2010
The first annual GreenGov Symposium was kicked off last week with keynotes from the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Nancy Sutley, the U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack and President of the Biomimicry Institute, Janine Benyus. Harkening back to President Obama’s Executive Order …Read More…
One House = Three Cars?
We all admit that the growing trend today is to be “green” and energy efficient. Some people buy hybrid cars, some swear by compact fluorescent bulbs, others even mount solar panels and wind turbines to their homes! Well, homeowners, you’re in for a big surprise — you can be trendy AND reduce your emissions without …Read More…
In Seattle, Phonebooks Now Optional
The Seattle City Council voted 8-1 Monday to create a registry for residents who no longer wish to receive the yellow pages phone books. Though current opt-out systems exist from distributors, Seattle has become the first city in the United States to pass formal legislation. This legislation is part of what the city call’s it’s …Read More…
Pop Quiz: What did the birthplace of Elvis recently do to go green?
Answer: It passed a complete streets policy. Two small cities, Hernando and Tupelo, in Mississippi have just passed complete streets policies to improve streets for cyclists, pedestrians and public transit users. They join a growing list of 124 jurisdictions who have adopted policies or have made written commitment to do so. It’s interesting to note …Read More…
Beautiful Earth
Earth’s beauty countered by industrialization
Camping Trip
Camping is a great way to teach kids about the environment. Get a nice Mount Holder for your GPS and hit the highway. Once you are on site, but sure to use it as an opportunity to teach kids about the importance of energy regulation. Even explaining how an LED Flashlight can save energy is …Read More…
Thomas Friedman Answers Your Questions
Last night, Thomas Friedman came to The George Washington University’s sold-out Lisner Auditorium, where he spoke to over 1000 students and others about climate change and what he thinks needs to be done to solve it. His controversial take: we need real — not phoney — green revolution, and we need a tax on carbon. …Read More…
How GWU is reducing its carbon footprint Thanksgiving weekend…
This email came across the transom at the George Washington University this week and someone forwarded it our way. We thought it offered a few good nuggets of practical advice so we decided to post it here. ______________________________________ GW Students, Faculty and Staff: You can help GW save energy over the Thanksgiving Break by conserving …Read More…
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