with their magic rings and destroying company machinery to protect the environment with the blessings of the Earth Spirit , Gaia , clearly a radicalized form of environmentalism based on Deep Ecological roots-- a form of radical environmentalism which evolved during the 1990s . Captain Planet and the Planeteers seemed to have adopted the more radical environmental agenda in the foundation of the program .
Since the show ran for six seasons and ending the run with well over one hundred episodes , it is impossible for me to trace the entire series in the essay , but I have used several episodes which represent fairly typical examples of the Deep Ecological philosophy shown in the series . While the term “ Deep Ecology ” never appears in the series , the underlying philosophy is clearly influenced by Naess ' s view of the environment and the more radical elements of the American Environmental Movement which has appropriated Naess ' s philosophy .
Gaia , the Spirit of Nature , Come Alive
When Ted Turner suggested in 1989 ,” We need a super hero for the Earth . Let ’ s call him Captain Planet ” ( Captain Planet Foundation ), little did he know he would be launching “ the world ' s first ever edutainment eco-toon ” ( Ibid ). Turner ' s multimedia empire began production on the cartoon which would have a world-wide focus to save the planet and raise consciousness of the young viewers on environmental issues . The creators of the show used the Romantically-inspired idea of personifying nature as Gaia , the spirit of the Earth to serve as a benefactor and mentor to Earth ' s protectors .
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