I don't think he'd need to take over the government, but certainly act in opposition to it.jj
Certainly you'd have to acknowledge that most major polluters are acting with either the open or tacit support of their countries' governments.
I think that they would need captain planet to play 2 roles. A stick and carrot approach:
1) A subtle role as an freelance geo-scientist exposing the dangers of polution or crime the likes on the global economy ... to the people ... through the government.
2) A Hero role as Captain Planet ... resolving the big picture immediate action problem on a large enough scale. (mostly on a large transnational chain reaction). Planeteers will be with the people ... Caps will be with the problem - the symbol of hope.
I mean let the show take on an uneven balance tone ... in terms of
1) explaining the difficulty of keeping the balance in normal terms - the way it is in real life. Now with this ... it will the fault of the situation - not any one person or system .... and as a result change cannot be abrupt. example ... a background behind corruption or producing greenhouse gases .... in terms of what starts out positivee ... leads to a negative ...when social needs and human emotions contribute to it. as well as the difficulty in using solar power ... where its direct flipside can lead to a negative usage. basically eplaining the same tool depends on its use to be good or bad ... but tha decision is based on human needs.
As a result of his explorations and the planeteers missions (often justice league style) when effects have a major transnational impact, captain 'civilian' will deal with convincing authorities Batman style (using tact and diplomacy. investigation, evidence, instead of force - the hero on the edge - trying for a solution). He will deal with the big bosses, internatioanl powerhouses, indutries, He will be Macro.
Planeteers will be amassing the population masses to practice good habits, or to solve the problems ... like a counsellor or consultant, overcoming local red tape or any other usual stoping point. They have a limit ... and so does the local population. They will be at the local level.
This part will give the difficulty in implementing and balancing. It like ... don;t kill wildlife or trees ... yet we need to kill and eat them to surivive and for resources .... its not just deforestation but why its done ... yet what is the danger, yet what is the problem in solving that danger in terms of demand / supply.
This kind of mixed storyline ... will be both educational, without an obvious direct solution to the problem , because of its international size. it will also present the problem as a global issue looming ... yet not overly scare any kids watchin it ... while giving adults a good message.
2) As a result of his explorations and the planeteers missions (often justice league style) when effects have a major transnational impact, and it goes beyond what a small population of human being team can handle ... that is when the rings energise him as Captain Planet to take on these challenges ... as an 'adrenaline force' and stem much of it.
Also citing both an immediate solution, the how could have had one 'show effects' before a 'planeteer alert'
a) 'show effects' will deal with the result of the show ... 1] the immediate solution to the problem 2] the bigger picture and immediate benefit to the environment 3] the practical grouses of those affected (the adversaries).
-- This goes to show that while it is possible to sove a problem there are both consequences and negative effects ... and that it is a never ending battle.
b) 'Planeteer Alert': previously it was just some preaching. This new version could give a visionary account of the long-term effects of the resolved problem. 1] How the individual people are benefitting, 2] How the big people are benefitting 3] the difficulties in managing these new fture processes 4] the net benefit to the environment.
