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Captain Planet inspired an environmental movement

Captain Planet inspired an environmental movement

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“By your combined power, I am Captain Planet!”

So goes the tagline of one of the most unusual superheroes in recent times.

Captain Planet was the main character of the animated series “Captain Planet, the Planeteers.” But the show had an impact that went beyond the television screen.

It started a movement that lasted for decades and inspired generations of young people who became environmental change-makers by getting involved in their communities.

The origin story of a hero

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Captain Planet, an “ecosuperhero”. (Captain Planet Foundation).

“I think a big part of why ‘Captain Planet and the Planeteers’ had such a lasting impact is because the things that were relevant at the time of the show’s initial airing are still relevant to this day,” said Robin Okunowo, the program coordinator at Captain Planet Foundation, a nonprofit based on the animated series “Captain Planet and the Planeteers.”

Okunowo says that Captain Planet was first conceptualized in the late 1980s.

At the time, media entrepreneur Ted Turner was championing possible ways to protect the environment— and one of which involved creating a cartoon hero for the environment.

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FILE – Ted Turner, Philanthropist and Founder of Captain Planet Foundation Barbara Pyle attend the Captain Planet Foundation Annual Benefit gala at Georgia Aquarium on December 9, 2011. Atlanta, Georgia. (Ben Rose/WireImage)

“He looked over to his producer, Barbara Pyles, and said, ‘Make me this eco superhero.’ So, Barbara Pyles went ahead and created ‘Captain Planet and the Planeteers’,” Okunowo said.

“The show was a good commentary on some of the anxieties that existed at the time. People started to have more open discussions about environmental issues that were affecting them.

The original series

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Captain Planet, after five Planeteers summoned. (Captain Planet Foundation).

The show’s 1990 premiere featured a central character with glass-blue skin, and a bright teal mulet.  

Okunowo stated that Captain Planet is “definitely a very unique superhero.”

He represents five main elements — earth, fire, wind, water and heart — and he’s summoned by five young people called Planeteers, who each represent one of the five elements.

Okunowo said that each Planeteer was a native of a different continent. “This demonstrated how diverse groups can work together, bring together their passions in someone like Captain Planet to truly become a champion of the environment.

Kwame was born in Africa and his element is earth. (Captain Planet Foundation)

Each of the Planeteers with their five elements play a crucial role in saving the environment. Okunowo is the exception.

“Captain Planet and the Planeteers had an extra element of heart that was unique,” she stated. “That’s the special thing about Planeteers, in part, because there’s an extra step not only to understand the natural elements, but also the empathic ones.

Captain Planet Foundation

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At a Captain Planet Foundation event, young people learn how to solve problems for the planet. (Captain Planet Foundation).

The original series ran between 1990-1991. It sparked a sequel called “The New Adventures of Captain Planet”, and helped to inspire change in many communities.

Okunowo claims that the show creators were inspired by Captain Planet’s efforts and that they energized younger generations to take part in environmental activism.

Turner and Pyle founded a non-profit based on the animated series to harness and channel this energy in 1991. The Captain Planet Foundation (CPF), is an organization that works with young people in order to make a difference for the environment.

CPF runs a variety of programs. Their newest program, Planeteer Alliance launched in February 2022.

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Captain Planet and The Planeteers (Captain Planet Foundation).

Okunowo stated, “The Planeteer Alliance stands out from other youth programs because it has that community component.” “The Planeteer Alliance is just that — an alliance of young changemakers who are coming together and saying, ‘We all care about addressing climate change at this moment, and this is how I’m doing it in my community.'”

CPF reports that over 1.6 million children participated in their programs over the past 30 year. They have funded 3,300+ projects which have had an impact on 10.5 million youth.

Go, Planet!

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The unique superhero left a lasting impact. (Captain Planet Foundation).

“I think Captain Planet, the superhero of itself, is a metaphor for ‘by our powers combined’ in understanding that the power is yours,” Okunowo said.

“And when you work in a community that summons their power, it is the superhero movement and you feel like an superhero because you have so much potential to make a difference.”

Learn more at FOX Weather. 

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