Generate 2011 is an energy literacy youth summit for high schoolers across the province to share ideas about what they believe should be the future of energy in Alberta. It’s a very interesting idea, and I imagine some of the youth attending this conference will be the ones that carry the torch for our province in the future. But what will be the fuel that allows the torch to burn? The youth at the conference weren’t even born when Captain Planet was on tv, but they could take a few hints.

What are some energy sources being used in Alberta right now? Well, the people at YTV figured it out about twenty years ago when they started showing one of my favourite after school cartoons, Captain Planet and the Planeteers. The Planeteers were five teens from around the globe who were given magic rings that channelled the planets energy sources (although collected from everywhere on the planet, they all spoke perfect English).

Kwame, Africa, Earth Power

This guy seemed like the pseudo leader of the group, mostly because when they were running places he was at the front. He is attached to plant life and is the voice of reason in the group.

Linka, Soviet Union, Wind

This super smart lady had a soft spot for birds and always came through in the clutch. When the Soviet Union fell her eye colour magically changed from blue to green and she said she was from Eastern Europe.

Wheeler, North America, Fire Power

The street smart, comic relief, and pyro of the group lit things on fire for the good of humanity. He didn’t really seem to care about the Earth, but more about fighting with his magic ring.

Gi, Asia, Water Power

Had a passion for sea life and marine biology and could control the power of water. She once had a pet dolphin, but things didn’t really work out for said dolphin, so she felt the need to protect marine life.

Ma-Ti, South America, Heart Power

This guy drew the short stick when it came to picking powers. It had nothing to do with the planet at all. He obviously wasn’t great with people as his only friend seemed to be a pet monkey. I think the rest of the Planeteers considered him more of a colleague than a friend. That puts him just above enemy on the friendship graph.

Captain Planet – When these 4 youthful heroes (and the stupid heart guy) combined their powers they summoned Earth’s greatest champion Captain Planet. His energy source was the sun and his kryptonite was pollution. He was basically the super hero version of David Suzuki.

It was an interesting idea for a tv show and would probably take off a lot better now that people are more environmentally conscious than they were 20 years ago. In 2006, 66% of Canada’s energy needs were being met with non-renewable resources. 25% of our energy needs were using hydroelectric power and 7% nuclear power. That left only 2% of energy needs being met with bioenergy (like wood waste) and wind power. I couldn’t find any stats to say if we’re doing any better now, but I imagine it’s not drastically different.

An underlying theme of the show is if we combined all of these sources of energy, we could become an energy powerhouse (like Captain Planet) capable of battling pollution and saving our planet. Think of how many fossil fuels we could conserve and the reduction in green house gasses we would experience if we just diversified our energy sources? The forest companies in the province are currently meeting 60% of their energy needs with renewable resources such as hydroelectricity, steam and wood waste burning. If the forest industry can do it, why can’t the rest of the province? Hopefully the students at the Gener8 2011 conference have some bright ideas. As Captain Planet said, “The Power Is Yours”.