E.A.R.T.H. Force – Environmentally ahead of its time but behind on its ratings!

As the world spun into the 1990’s suddenly everyone began to care about the planet. Caring about the environment was no stranger to film and television but by the 1990’s it has become fashionable and the entertainment industry was happy to exploit that. E.A.R.T.H. Force was one of those attempts to cash in on saving the planet. Was the planet ready for E.A.R.T.H. Force though?

Who were E.A.R.T.H. Force? Well it stood for Emergency Agency for Renewal, Technology, and Humanity Force and starred Buck Rogers himself, Gil Gerard, alongside Joanna Pacula, Clayton Rohner, Tiffany Lamb, and Robert Knepper. Each episode saw the team tasked with saving the planet from a particular type of environmental threat/disasters – with the aim being to expose the viewer to what was happening to our planet over each episode. E.A.R.T.H. Force travelled the world dealing with oil spills, deforestation, and air pollution. They also faced off against villains who sought to exploit the planet’s resources for their own gain.

Debuting on September 16th 1990 it was soon off the air within three weeks! Unlike other 90’s desperate cash-in shows though, E.A.R.T.H. Force was ahead of its time in a number of ways including how it tackled environmental issues that were not typically addressed in mainstream media at the time.

In terms of environmental imagery, E.A.R.T.H. Force covered a wide range of issues, including climate change, pollution, and the destruction of natural habitats. The show also tackled more specific environmental issues, such as oil spills, deforestation, and air pollution. Not unlike Captain Planet and the Planeteers, which was a popular cartoon of the time; the difference being that Captain Planet was a more lighthearted, animated series aimed at a younger audience. The show focused on a group of young people who were chosen to protect the planet from environmental disasters and other threats, similar to E.A.R.T.H. Force. The Planeteers though, were each given special powers, and they worked together to save the planet with the help of the superhero Captain Planet. Other similar Environmental shows included The Magic School Bus and Bill Nye the Science Guy. These shows all had a strong environmental messages and were aimed at educating viewers about environmental issues, but they approached the subject more softly and simplified their messages.

While E.A.R.T.H. Force did not necessarily predict any environmental events, it did bring attention to environmental issues that were becoming increasingly important at the time. It helped to raise public awareness about the impact that human activity was having on the planet, and it inspired viewers to take action to protect the environment.

In conclusion, “E.A.R.T.H. Force” was ahead of its time in terms of its tackling of environmental issues and its depiction of a diverse cast of characters working together to save the planet. Unfortunately the fact it “point the finger at its advertisers” may be the major factor in its cancellation after three episodes!