Gaia the Spirit of the Earth summons five teenagers from all ends of the earth to help in the crusade to protect our planet. Kwame, from Africa held the power of earth, Wheeler from US held the power of fire, Linka from Eastern Europe held the power of Wind, Gi from Asia held the power of water, and from South America Ma-Ti held the power of heart. When the five powers combinded they summoned earth's greatest champion, Captain Planet.
Call it a mix of action and ecology, but the in the end, it was a major success. DIC production produced the first 3 seasons, then it was later turned over to Hanna Barbera.