Planet Forward
Encyclopedia
Planet Forward is a social network and PBS
television special that launched in March 2009 and had a broadcast premiere April 15, 2009. Created and hosted by Frank Sesno
, the project focuses on creating an online public forum where people from across the globe can discuss topics involving energy solutions and the environment.
, the original pilot television special featured a panel style discussion that addressed the question: can we move rapidly away from fossil fuels in the near future?. The panelists for the pilot were James L. Connaughton
, Hunter Lovins
, and Shai Agassi
. Viewers were encouraged to visit the website to submit their ideas about fossil fuels to the panel of experts. Those who submitted the most engaging and thought provoking ideas were selected to appear before Carol Browner, the senior advisory to President Barack Obama
on Energy and Climate Change.
. Planet Forward also archived the content from their pilot phase. In the spring 2010 they addressed the question, "How Can We Reduce Our Carbon Footprint?" The ideas generated in response to the question were featured on a web-only special taped on April 16, 2010 and featured EPA Director Lisa P. Jackson
.
's Great Energy Challenge to produce and manage a blog hosted on the National Geographic website. The responses to that question will be featured in the project's second PBS special that broadcasts on April 8, 2011.
, and Volkswagen Group of America. Planet Forward is also a project of the Center For Innovative Media at The George Washington University
's School of Media and Public Affairs
.
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
television special that launched in March 2009 and had a broadcast premiere April 15, 2009. Created and hosted by Frank Sesno
Frank Sesno
Frank Sesno is an award-winning American journalist, former CNN correspondent, anchor and Washington bureau chief, and director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University. Sesno is also the creator and host of Planet Forward, a web-to-television show on PBS. Sesno...
, the project focuses on creating an online public forum where people from across the globe can discuss topics involving energy solutions and the environment.
Phase 1: Our Energy Future
Hosted by creator Frank SesnoFrank Sesno
Frank Sesno is an award-winning American journalist, former CNN correspondent, anchor and Washington bureau chief, and director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University. Sesno is also the creator and host of Planet Forward, a web-to-television show on PBS. Sesno...
, the original pilot television special featured a panel style discussion that addressed the question: can we move rapidly away from fossil fuels in the near future?. The panelists for the pilot were James L. Connaughton
James L. Connaughton
James Laurence Connaughton is an American energy industry lawyer and the former George W. Bush administration environmental adviser...
, Hunter Lovins
Hunter Lovins
L. Hunter Lovins is an author and a promoter of sustainable development for over 30 years, is president of Natural Capitalism Solutions, a 5013 non-profit in Longmont, Colorado and the Chief Insurgent of the Madrone Project...
, and Shai Agassi
Shai Agassi
Shai Agassi is an Israeli entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Better Place, which has developed a model and infrastructure for employing electric cars as an alternative to fossil fuel technology. Agassi was President of the Products and Technology Group at SAP AG...
. Viewers were encouraged to visit the website to submit their ideas about fossil fuels to the panel of experts. Those who submitted the most engaging and thought provoking ideas were selected to appear before Carol Browner, the senior advisory to President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
on Energy and Climate Change.
Phase 2: Carbon footprint reduction
Since the pilot phase of the project, Planet Forward relaunched its website, began producing a series of weekly webisodes and began producing monthly special segments for the PBS business series Nightly Business ReportNightly Business Report
Nightly Business Report is a Business news television magazine broadcast live Monday to Friday evenings on most public television stations in the United States. Every weeknight, Nightly Business Report distills the essence of what matters in the business world, and provides analysis and reflection...
. Planet Forward also archived the content from their pilot phase. In the spring 2010 they addressed the question, "How Can We Reduce Our Carbon Footprint?" The ideas generated in response to the question were featured on a web-only special taped on April 16, 2010 and featured EPA Director Lisa P. Jackson
Lisa P. Jackson
Lisa Perez Jackson is an American chemical engineer currently serving as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency . Previously, she worked at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for 6 years, first as an assistant commissioner and later as commissioner...
.
Phase 3: Great Energy Challenge
In the summer of 2010, Planet Forward launched a new question: "What is an innovation that improves how we generate or use energy?" They also entered into a partnership with National GeographicNational Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
's Great Energy Challenge to produce and manage a blog hosted on the National Geographic website. The responses to that question will be featured in the project's second PBS special that broadcasts on April 8, 2011.
Sources of funding
According to the Planet Forward website, major funding for the project is provided by: The Tawani Foundation, NoblisNoblis
Noblis is a nonprofit research corporation headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia. The firm performs scientific research and engineering with clients in the federal, state, and private sectors...
, and Volkswagen Group of America. Planet Forward is also a project of the Center For Innovative Media at The George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
's School of Media and Public Affairs
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs
The School of Media and Public Affairs at the George Washington University in Washington, DC, a school in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in journalism and political and international communication...
.