“Long-term survival on this planet for us and for all generations after us is a pretty good idea. Remember, the earth will probably always be here. We just may not be able to live on it for too long,” stated actor Zac Efron in his new Netflix series Down to Earth with Zac Efron. The eight-episode-show follows Zac Efron and wellness expert Darin Olien on a journey around the world discovering a healthier, more sustainable, and more meaningful way of life.

It begins in Iceland, with Efron and Olien learning about the world’s most sustainable city, and their efforts to use natural and renewable sources of power from the island’s volcanoes. Episode two takes off in France with the focus of the episode on water. Here, Efron and Olien learn about Paris’s way to reduce plastic waste by filling the city with public water fountains. The series continues with stops in Costa Rica, learning about biopiracy, which is the exploitation of plant and animal genetics by claiming patents to restrict general use, and superfoods. In Sardinia, one of the world’s “blue zones”, the two learn about how the residents of the island live well into their 90s and even 100s. Then the duo visits Lima, and in episode six, Efron and Olien visit Puerto Rico. Here, they hear from locals who are still struggling with the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria in 2017 and learn about Puerto Rico’s new path to sustainability, by using renewables to create the island’s electricity. The two then travel to London, and finish the series in Iquitos. While in Iquitos, Efron and Olien go on a spiritual journey and learn about plants in the Amazon that the locals use for medicine and nutritional needs.

The series does an excellent job exposing different cultures, but also helping to educate the viewers about important topics like climate change and health. What helps to make this series so valuable is that Efron and Olien visit many places that have significantly different ways of living, from things like energy usage, to the typical diet, than those in the United States. This educates viewers in ways that they would not ever learn about unless visiting those places themselves.

Don’t worry, the show is not just educational, it also features the duo on many adventures. When in London, the two go down the ArcelorMittal Orbit tube slide, ziplining in Costa Rica, and in Iceland they visit the Blue Lagoon, an outdoor geothermal pool. Not to mention, for all the foodies out there, the food the two try will have you wanting to hop on a plane right away so you can try it.

When watching Down to Earth with Zac Efron the viewers feel as if they are there with Efron and Olien, and just as the two are questioning their own way of life, so are the viewers. In episode four, in Sardinia, Efron states, “I got to get out of Hollywood dude, I’m done. It’s not a place conducive to living a long, happy, mentally sound life.”

The show is definitely worth the watch, not only to see the amazing places and cultures around the world, but also to reevaluate one’s own way of living. Hopefully, when watching this show, viewers feel inspired to make small changes, especially when living through a time with so much change and uncertainty. It is important to focus on the things that really matter and what will make a difference, not just in one life, but lives around the world.

Even simple changes, like recycling, using reusable water bottles, or switching to LED light bulbs will leave an impact. Other things like starting a to grow a small garden or building a “green wall”, like the one Efron and Olien built in London, can also have significant benefits not just for the planet, but for the health of individuals. To learn more about sustainable living visit biofriendlyplanet.com or globalstewards.org.

Down to Earth with Zac Efron is entertaining, educational, and inspiring. Hopefully, after watching, viewers begin to change their own way of life, but also start to encourage others to do the same, creating greater, more effective, change across communities. The eight episode series can be found on Netflix, and for more information about the series and the locations visit downtoearthzacefron.com.