Movies on Environmentalism (Part 2)

Writers: Sabrina Schiefer, Denise Bermudez, Abhirath Baiju, Tejasvi Prabhu

1. Studio Ghibli Movies:

   
   

   1. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

      The conflict between humans and the environment is very common within Ghibli movies. In this instance, Nausicaä, a young and curious girl, attempts to make peace with the toxic, mutant infested jungle. She struggles, as other humans wish to use violence as a means to destroy the jungle. However, she knows that coexistence and peace conquer. She learns that applying harm to the already livid environment only results in damage.

      
      

   2. Princess Monoke

      This film represents the delicate balance between nature and humans, and the destruction that occurs when this harmony is disrupted. Fueled by greed, the expansion of an iron town disturbs the sacred forest and the wolf girl who calls it home. While Lady Eboshi seeks progress and prosperity for her people, the real issue is the pollution that takes place as a result of her relentless drive for power. This nuanced and realistic portrayal offers a thought-provoking exploration of deforestation and urban development.

      
      

   3. Spirited Away

      The river spirit in this film conveys the hidden reality of pollution. In her quest to rescue her parents, Chihiro is tasked with removing massive amounts of garbage from the spirit, which ultimately transforms into a purified spirit due to her work. Furthermore, the spiritual realm depicted in the movie portrays humans as offensive beings, symbolized by a pungent spell. This motif serves as a commentary on the lack of respect that modern society often displays towards the natural world.

      
      

2. Rio:

   
   

   The film “Rio” explores themes of environmentalism through its vibrant portrayal of the biodiversity within the Amazon rainforest. The endangered biodiverse inhabitants of the rainforest are represented by the protagonist, a quirky Blue Spix Macaw named Blu. Blu, the last male of his species, is raised in captivity in the United States, later being taken by his human companion to Rio de Janeiro. His companion does this to let Blu mate with the last female Blue Spix Macaw, aiming to rescue his species. Along his path to restoring his species, Blu learns to navigate the lush foreign environment of the Amazon rainforest, growing to accept his true identity as a wild Brazilian bird. This film presents the vibrant landscape of Rio de Janeiro, while addressing the underlying problem of animal trafficking and habitat loss. Through the obstacles faced by the protagonists , “Rio” advocates for ecological conservation and urges the maintenance of natural areas, limiting animal endangerment globally.

   
   

3. The Day After Tomorrow:

   
   

   In "The Day After Tomorrow," the planet starts spiraling out of control when climate change goes too far. Melting ice caps flood the ocean, throwing off the currents that control Earth’s weather. This collapse triggers massive superstorms and freezes entire regions within days. The movie follows Jack Hall, a scientist whose warnings about global warming are brushed off until it is too late. As he races to save his son, who is stuck in the middle of the chaos, the film points out how easily Earth’s balance can be broken. It clarifies that climate change isn’t a slow problem for the future, but something that can cause real damage extremely fast. By watching how quickly environmental systems fall apart, viewers get a glimpse of what could happen if we keep putting off action. It serves as a wake-up call, reminding us that these consequences are much closer than we think. If nothing is done soon, serious damage can become irreversible.

   
   

4. The Human Element:

   
   

   The Human Element is a documentary by photographer James Balog that shows how climate change affects real people through the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water. Instead of focusing solely on melting ice or rising seas, it zooms in on the human stories: families losing their homes to wildfires, communities breathing in polluted air and towns being submerged in floods. It highlights how climate change disproportionately affects the most vulnerable the hardest, making it clear that we’re not just part of the problem—we’re also facing its consequences. The film urges us to take action now, before the damage becomes permanent.