Ep 6. Puerto Rico

In season 1 episode 6 of Down to Earth with Zac Efron, titled "Puerto Rico," Zac Efron travels to the Caribbean island to explore the sustainable initiatives that have been implemented since Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017. The episode takes a closer look at how Puerto Ricans have been impacted by climate change and natural disasters, and how they have adapted by innovating with environmentally-friendly solutions.

Upon arriving in Puerto Rico, Zac meets with San Juan mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, who gives him a tour of the city. They discuss how the city has been recovering since the hurricane and how they have been working towards a more sustainable future. Carmen takes Zac to a waste management facility that turns trash into energy, which supplies electricity to a part of the city. Zac is fascinated by this creative solution and the importance of recycling.

Zac then travels to the town of Loíza, an Afro-Puerto Rican community that was hit hard by Hurricane Maria. He meets with a group of women who are using natural resources to create beauty products, such as aloe vera and coconut oil, while also providing jobs for the community. Zac is impressed by their determination and creativity. He learns about the importance of cultural preservation and the beauty of community traditions.

Next, Zac visits a farm in San Germán that uses hydroponics to grow vegetables and fish in a sustainable way. The farm was established after the hurricane destroyed the original farm, and the owners seized the opportunity to innovate a completely new way of farming. Zac helps harvest the vegetables and fish, where he learns the importance of knowing where our food comes from.

The final stop on Zac's tour of Puerto Rico is the town of Vieques, where he meets with a group of locals who are fighting against the US Navy's occupation of their land. The Navy has used Vieques as a bombing range for over 60 years, which has led to irreversible environmental damage. Zac speaks with activists and community leaders to gain insight into how the ongoing struggle against colonization in Puerto Rico intersects with environmental justice.

Throughout his journey in Puerto Rico, Zac emphasizes the importance of community connection and the power of innovation to create sustainable solutions. He learns about the challenges brought on by climate change and how they can be mitigated by taking action to build sustainable communities. The episode highlights the importance of community-based solutions and the beauty that can emerge from the creative adaptation of traditional knowledge and technology.

In the end, Zac leaves Puerto Rico with a greater appreciation for the island's resilience and the inspiring ways in which communities are working towards a sustainable future in the face of adversity.