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10 Exquisite, Eco-Friendly Media to Enlighten the Youth About the Environment
Written by Rj Ross | January 26, 2021
Designed by Jaclyn Yost.
As the late pop singer Whitney Houston once sang, “I believe the children are our future, teach them well, and let them lead the way”. What better place to lead them than into the world of environmentalism? Okay, maybe you are not an environmentalist or ecologist, but you care about our ecosystem and want the minors in your life to attain an awareness. Look no further, because we at ecomadic have conjured up a list of meaningful films, shows, and documentaries that will entertain, educate, and engraft the youth in your life so they’ll protect and preserve the gift of nature Earth produces.
Films
Ferngully: The Last Rainforest
Source: Wikipedia
An adaptation of the titular, Diana Young novel, Ferngully: The Last Rainforest allows us to trudge through the fictional, Australian rainforest through Zach as he learns about the destruction he and his fellow construction workers have done to the majestical, fairy-filled land. Even with the recurring theme of magic, Ferngully bestows upon us the idea that while some things that affect the environment are beyond our control, the less pollution and endangerment of natural resources we engage in, can truly make a difference!
Where to Watch: Starz; Amazon Prime Video; Vudu
Age Rating: 10+
Over The Hedge
Source: SBS
On surface, this Dreamworks film appears to be a comedy about forest animals foraging for food in suburbia. However, the deeper meaning in this film is how consumerism affects nature. The woodland characters in this movie wake up from their hibernation to a majority of their land being converted into a residential area, now having to adapt for survival. The use of forests to produce homes and businesses for our consumption ends up with homeless animals having life-threatening encounters with us.
As someone who grew up in suburbia, I can attest to the many times I’ve witnessed this; while never to the extent of racoons driving cars or possums breaking and entering houses to watch tv, I have seen deer stuck in wire fences, one too many squirrels struck by cars, and even a fox almost drowning in the community pool. While children watching this film won’t necessarily indicate the concept of “consumerism vs. nature” on first watch, the film’s replay value will gradually aid them in grasping said concept, and hopefully get them involved to make a change in their local community.
Where to Watch: HBO Max; Hulu
Age Rating: 13+
The Lorax
Source: NPR
Based on the titular Dr. Seuss story, the television special and film focuses on the repercussions of industrialization and the constant usage of natural resources. Unlike the previous films, this film has a harsher tone; through the visuals and dialogue, sadness is the primary feeling you’ll have after seeing the demise of the once-colorful town of Thneedville. While industrialization isn’t a fixable problem for kids, the one idea kids will take away from both the tv special and film is the appreciation of trees and planting, for as Dr. Seuss said, “unless we care about it [nature] a lot, nothing’s going to get better”.
Where to Watch: 1972 Special: Hulu; 2012 Movie: Netflix
Age Rating: 10+
WALL-E
Source: Disney+
A Pixar movie about robots and romance can also provide insight on our overconsumption and lack of sustainability. One of the main settings of WALL-E takes place on Earth, which has become a wasteland that the humans littered and left to laze around and lounge in mobile chairs on a spaceship. The portrayal of the humans’ new, careless lifestyle will compel you and younger viewers to not succumb to what is quick and accessible, and to be wary of your surroundings and protect it for healthier living.
Where to Watch: Disney+
Age Rating: 10+
Happy Feet
Source: Movies Anywhere
The Academy-Award winning film not only provides musical numbers, dance scenes, and an avalanche of emotions from penguin protagonist Mumbles’ storyline, but supplies commentary on the ongoing issues in the Antarctic region. Watch as Mumbles tap dances into tundra troubles such as overfishing and pollution in Antarctica, leading to rather unhappy results for the penguins. After watching this film, younger viewers will want to glide, heel-toe, and guard the glacier-filled area from any more damage it’s encountered.
Where to Watch: HBO Max; Amazon Prime Video
Age Rating: 10+
Shows
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Source: Captain Planet Foundation
“Let our powers combine”, Kwame says, as he and his fellow Planeteers alert Captain Planet to protect the world from horrific activities such as pollution, deforestation, animal abuse, etc. The television series promotes environmental preservation and sustainability; it also promotes healthy living (physically, mentally and socially) for human beings, as evident in episodes geared towards incurable diseases, violence, and drugs. After each episode, there’s a recap of the subject matter tackled in the stated episode, with a moral to better young viewers’ understanding of the environmental issues. For a basic understanding about going green and respecting nature, Captain Planet is the superhero ready to school!
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video; Vudu; iTunes; Google Play
Age Rating: 13+
Healin’ Good♡PreCure
Source: MyAnimeList
One of the biggest kids anime franchises in Japan, Pretty Cure (PreCure for short) has a series dedicated to magical girls (a la Sailor Moon) who fight to protect — or heal — Japan’s greenery from being infected by an evil entity known as the Byogens. Healin’ Good PreCure not only admirably presents Japanese culture, language, and its stance on the country’s environmental issues, the series also puts femininity on the forefront; allowing viewers to attain an inner sparkle within them to get out and combat the conundrums to heal their respective environment!
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Age Rating: 10+
The Magic School Bus
Source: PBS
The Joanna Cole book series was adapted into a cartoon where an elementary school teacher named Ms. Frizzle takes her students on abnormal field trips via her supernatural schoolbus to teach them the wonders of the world! Some of these field trips consisted of traveling into the ocean, inside a beehive, and the Arctic region. Although the series is geared towards science in general, episodes concentrating on biology, ecology, geology, and technology helps play a role in inspiring the younger viewers to assist in the environmental crisis in their own way! The ongoing spin-off series, The Magic School Bus Rides Again also follows the same premise as its predecessor, including a Q&A segment at the end of each episode to share more scientific facts and trivia with the young viewers!
Where to Watch: Netflix; Vudu; Amazon Prime Video
Age Rating: 10+
Documentaries
March of the Penguins
Source: Amazon UK
Unlike the earlier-mentioned Happy Feet, these penguins aren’t singing or dancing, but having an evergreen excursion throughout the Antarctic area. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, watch as the annual adventure of the emperor penguins, as they encounter many high points and hardships; some of those hardships being a result of the coarse conditions of the environment (overfishing, pollution, climate change, etc.). By the end of the documentary, viewers will understand the grand scheme of how simple activities we engage in our habitat can benefit or befoul another habitat. Additionally, this documentary may have a G-rating, but there are harsh scenes involving penguin death; feel free to avert your eyes or skip those scenes if necessary!
Where to Watch: HBO Max; Vudu; Amazon Prime
Age Rating: 13+
Food, Inc.
Source: Amazon CA
When watching a film or show, who doesn’t love the accompaniment of some tasty food? Before making that store run for savory snacks, watch this film for a new perspective – and possibly, a new palate. This documentary gives us access to the sketchy food industry; viewers will be in for a shock when seeing the unethical and unsanitary practices some of the biggest food corporations partake in, from cross contamination when manufacturing and distributing products, to the mistreatment of animals and the workers at the various food facilities. Seeing how much dirty work (literally & figuratively) is involved in the food we consume will convince any viewer to seek alternate options. This documentary also contains triggering scenes like the previous entry; yet, younger viewers should watch so they can grow to eat and enjoy foods that are substantial and sustainable to the environment, and are handled with healthy living in mind. After all, the best way to one’s healthy mind and healthy heart is through a healthy stomach!
Where to Watch: YouTube; TubiTV; Pluto TV
Age Rating: 14+
meet the author
Rj Ross
Rj Ross is a writer at ecomadic. With his BA in communications and love for creative writing, he hopes to inspire and inform many generations about sustainable living and responsible traveling.
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