Part online interactive discussion, and part television broadcast, Planet Forward is looking for regular folks as well as experts to submit written and video commentaries making a case for how the United States should deal with its current and future energy challenges.

Hosted by Emmy-award winning CNN reporter Frank Sesno, the television broadcast, which airs April 15, will feature the best online submissions and a panel of scientists, policymakers, and business leaders debating the issues they raise.

Planet Forward began accepting submissions on March 6, and they are available for viewing on the program’s website.  Luminaries such as Christine Todd Whitman, Newt Gingrich, and actor Ted Dansen have already submitted videos.  So has UC Berkeley renewable energy professor Dan Kammen.

Register here to join the conversation.

My companion program, “California Heat” also premieres tonight as part of the Viewfinder documentary series on KVIE Public Television in Sacramento. This show airs at 7 p.m., and sets the stage for Frontline by examining the almost certain effects on California–and interior California in particular.

Frontline takes it from there, examining our readiness as a nation and as a global community, to take on the challenge.