The Eco Lessons We (Almost) Forgot From the 90's

 You may recall a children’s cartoon in the early 90’s called Captain Planet and the Planeteers. For those who don’t, it was an eco-themed cartoon featuring important topics including recycling, overconsumption, and pollution. Each episode had an important message. The Planeteers had solar powered vehicles with battery storage like the eco-cycle. Each episode ended with Captain Planet saying “The Power is Yours.”
The issues of sustainability and renewable energy are not new. They were also not new when this children’s cartoon came out. Yet as we begin year 2019, it seems as though a large number of people still do not seem to understand its importance. Climate Change is an issue. Pollution is an issue, as is deforestation, declining animal populations, filling our planet and oceans with plastic and the burning of fossil fuels for energy.
My question is, what seems to be holding us back? If there is a better way of doing something, why aren’t we doing it?
We are moving in the right direction, and 2019 is going to be an exciting year but we have not had the progress needed since we first began studying climate change and greenhouse gases  in the 1800’s, modern research which began in the 1970’s and since the release of a children’s cartoon in the 90’s.
Technology is increasing every day and is already able to solve many of these problems. We have biodegradable packaging as plastic alternatives, renewable energy, electric transportation and much more.
With just transportation, we are seeing significant innovation in electric buses, cars and bikes. Battery technology is improving and lithium alternatives are being tested. Ranges are getting longer and charge times are becoming shorter. Significant investments in hydrogen are showing there are multiple ways to replace fossil fuels.
Protecting our planet, reducing climate change and building a more sustainable future can and will happen. It’s happening now and is too important to be a partisan issue in Government. We all lose each day progress is slowed.
Significant capital and very smart people are working hard to solve these problems. I think we should celebrate that. Perhaps it’s an education and outreach campaign, or curriculum in schools. Maybe it’s a TV series showing the important work being done, or a cool cartoon showing why this is so important for us all.