It may have been released in the ancient mists of time (aka back in 2008) but I think Wall-E is still one of the best examples of environmentalism in popular culture.
The film manages to make a deep point about human’s relationship with the Earth and even offers a critique of consumer capitalism from within a popular Disney film with mass appeal. The fact it also centres on an adorable robot love story probably doesn’t hurt.
It isn’t preachy or earnest, which environmental messaging can sometimes fall foul of. Pixar certainly worked their magic with this one: relateable characters, easy humour, cute moments and wonderful visuals. Yet at it’s core it offers a stark warning and also a promise about our potential future.
There’s actually quite a lot to it, so this post explores five key themes environmentalism in Wall-E.
Environmentalism in Wall-E: 5 key themes
Here we go! Five key themes that jump out at me when thinking about environmentalism in Wall-E. Get ready: it’s time for a climate cultural critique.
Destruction and dystopia
Techno-optimism
The saving grace to such utter destruction is that it happened when humans had developed sophisticated space-age technology way beyond our current inventions. Spaceships and robots – how convenient! Saved by technology – the neoliberal capitalist answer to environmental problems. In this sci-fi sctory, the robots Wall-E and EVE are key to humans being able to recolonise Earth. It would never of happened without them. The two robot protagonists also show adorably human emotions and characteristics. But the film isn’t entirely rose-tinted about technology. The ‘evil robots take over’ trope gets a look in when the Autopilot tries to stop the captain from returning to Earth. And life on the massive spaceship Axiom is depicted in a highly critical way.
Consumerism
Space-age Noah’s Ark
This idea that after destruction of the world you can hop in a ship, wait it out and start anew, is not original. It is a story deep in the human psyche. In this respect Wall-E is like a space age version of Noah’s Ark. But we don’t see any animals, just lots of people. In this way, it’s more anthropocentric (aka human-focused) and forgiving about the failings of humans. Also the unsaid question – who didn’t make it onto the ship? Did the human population shrink so much due to ecological destruction that they took everyone that was left? Or did they just take some people and leave most to die?
Rebirth and redemption
Wall-E differs from other techno-optimist space stories where the assumption is that humans fly away and settle a new planet. Instead, the humans return to Earth after 700 years of space limbo when Wall-E and EVE find that plant life is finally returning to the planet. In a way this is a much more ecological message. You can’t just use up one planet, chuck it and move on to the next one. Planets are not consumer goods. We only have one planet.
Yet in another way, it lets us off the hook by being overly optimistic: don’t worry, you can have a second chance. The idea that the planet would again become hospitable to plants and humans after such total destruction is dubious to say the least. But in this story it does, and we can imagine the humans look after their planet better this time and have learnt their lesson.
Note: The images in this post are screenshots from Wall-E (2008) directed by Andrew Stanton. The use of these images comes under ‘fair use for criticism and review’ in UK and US copyright law.
So what do you think of my mini analysis of environmentalism in Wall-E? Let me know your own interpretations in the comments or on Twitter at @TheClimateLemon.
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Earth is a spaceship and humans can only exist as part of an ecosystem containing earthlike elements. We require other lifeforms for food and waste processing – preferable a variety for safety’s sake. We also require clean supples of oxygen, water and an equable climate. A stream of consumer goods is no replacement for these things – and this is only our physical needs not including our psychic needs.
Thanks William for reading and commenting. You are so right, and I love the concept and imagery of ‘Spaceship Earth’.
Finally got round to reading this! It’s great – I want to watch it again now! Thank you for sharing with me.
Yay thanks Christine! Glad you enjoyed it. Yeah I want to watch it again actually…
I’ve watched the film and enjoyed it. it made some good points. we could be heading that way scarey thought
Yeah it is a great film. Lets hope we listen to the signs and change direction!
Interesting..we are linked to this planet is my thoughts on the subject.and only have one .
Hey, thanks for reading. 🙂 I think so too, Earth as our one spaceship!