When there is something that concerns the earth, what image normally pops in your head?

Trees? Soil? Mountains? Seas? The usual image of earth itself? Or let’s be theatrical about it…do you imagine a motherly woman dressed in a flow of soft fabric, who answers to the name Gaea?

Every image is acceptable, but the first image that pops in my head would be a sinewy man in silver shiny leotards, red-colored spandex brief and red collar with an earth emblem on his chest, oh and he sports moss-green hair to boot.

If you’re part of my generation then you’d immediately know who this is. If not, just bear the connection. Of course, it’s none other than CAPTAIN PLANET. Captain Planet is probably one of the best and meaningful Cartoons ever made. Seriously. No one has ever created a long-standing series wherein the conflicts, episodes and materials are so educational, yet so entertaining at the same time. It is not plainly rehashing the morals that we usually see in Children animation, but it’s about the EARTH and nasty businesses that go about destroying it. Plunder, toxins, and negative scientific explorations, thoroughly explaining on how it actually destroys the earth is something that should be seen by children! Small scale destruction to large scale destruction of the earth are equally represented at this series.

To briefly remind you what Captain Planet is all about, well he is a powerful EARTH SUPERHERO summoned by five teenagers from different races with different interests. (Apparently, they’re residing at the same place at the moment) They are:

1. KWAME from AFRICA who possesses the EARTH ring and the elemental powers that go with it.

2. WHEELER from AMERICA who possesses the FIRE ring and the elemental powers that go with it.

3. LINKA from RUSSIA who possesses the WIND ring and the elemental powers that go with it.

4. GI from ASIA who possesses the WATER ring and the elemental powers that go with it.

5. MATI from SOUTH AMERICA possesses the HEART ring and the elemental powers that go with it.

When they call upon their elements together, it would result to the appearance of Captain Planet. “BY YOUR POWERS COMBINED, I AM CAPTAIN PLANET! GO PLANET”

Captain Planet saves the day with all the incorporated super powers of the teenage kids. But just like Superman, any toxins that cling towards Captain Planet make him woozy. Usually they just douse him with fresh water to revive him.

But this cartoon is super cool and VERY relevant to the times now wherein we are CELEBRATING EARTH DAY which kicked off Last April 16 to April 22nd. Unfortunately few people know about EARTH DAY.

That is a shame.

Personally, this should be given extra importance than other celebrations. Why? No offense to others, but unlike celebrating ‘historical names,’ this celebration and commemoration is for something that has YET TO BE SAVED, a matter of our existence. People somehow seem sheltered and confident that the earth is not YET nearing it’s time. Maybe they might be right that it would still take hundreds of years to feel its total destruction, but with the rate we are “POLLUTING” the planet in any means, small or bad, the MIGHT might be TOMORROW, NEXT YEAR or NEXT 10 YEARS.

Unfortunately we don’t have Captain Planet. His creation just constantly reminds us to awaken the genuine feelings we have on earth, just like an obedient child. And can you imagine if he does exist? He would’ve been too stressed, too depressed and too weak to carry on every earth’s major problems. He would’ve died of dementia and commit suicide by plunging himself in the pile of garbage in SMOKEY MOUNTAIN. That is if we still get COMPLACENT.

Let us bear in mind that…

The Earth is still more powerful than any other science. Earth’s issues creates ideas that require science, not the other way around. That is why we should never be complacent and arrogant to acknowledge the fact that we should take care of the thing that determines our survival.

The Earth is unpredictable. It can rob us with everything and leave us with absolutely nothing.

Earth day is something to remind us all year round, all decade all our lives to be constantly vigilant with out actions and how it affects the earth. Simple things like awareness and improved earthly consumptions, is enough to make a difference.

Paperless environment at the office. Solar Energy. Biodegradable acts punishable by law. Investments in waste management. Lower tax in biodegradable materials. Emergence of Nature Regulators. Documentaries for awareness; and bringing back CAPTAIN PLANET AND THE PLANETEERS series to the mainstream TV might only be a few suggestions to remind people how important it is to sustain EARTH for LIFE.

*Pic: 80scartoons.uk