As my first new post & in celebration of Disney’s Rio which was released this month, I am listing this blogger’s opinion of the Top 10 Eco-Friendly Kids Cartoons. Some make the list for their obvious message about environmental conservation and some for their exploration and exposure of different landscapes & eco-systems around the world. Either way, each is worth adding to your eco-friendly cartoon collection (with or without children).
10. Sesame Street- A popular choice through generations, Sesame Street taught everything from counting to picking up the trash and even focused on an entire green season.
9. The Rescuers Down Under - Touching on issues of poaching & endangered species, all while animating the striking Australian Outback’s landscape makes this a must for this list.
8. Finding Nemo- This one makes the list because of it’s display of the amazing underwater ecosystem of the coral reef in a fun & kid-friendly way. Also relevant is the allusion to the capture of wild exotic fish for sale in the pet trade. Ironically Nemo was also linked to the increased sale, capture & depletion of the clown fish.
7. Pocahontas - A great story about the sometimes tragic results of “the white man’s” ambition through exploration and conquering of North America. From the native’s and the animals perspectives, this Disney flick illustrates to the upcoming generations some of the distant & not so distant struggles for the land which we now reside.
6. Magic School Bus - Who couldn’t love & learn from the Friz and her amazing school bus adventures? From space to the rain forest or even inside a volcano, this tv classic includes science in an easy to understand format making it both fun and educational.
5. Rio- Just out this month, Rio dives into the world of the exotic pet trade of birds displaying many true aspects of it’s underside. This may include trauma to the specific animals removed directly from their habitat as well as the influence to the overall species, such as depletion and possible extinction. I am a huge fan of this entertaining Disney flick, bringing it in the upper realms of best Disney cartoons out there.
4. Stop the Smoggies - A new find for me (thanks 2 my sweetie), I have since PVR’d every episode. If that doesn’t say enough let’s sum it up as a cute, eco-minded cartoon where the Suntotes always seem to foil the Smoggies destructive & greedy plans in a diplomatic means. This is another must for the you’r own little tots at home and maybe you’ll even get a kick out of it too!
3. Captain Planet and the Planeteers - The name says it all. The Captain and his team fight the evil Captain Pollution and his counter-parts in true early 90’s “fight the man” style.
2. Fern Gully - Robin Williams as a animated Rapping Bat, talking ferries, signing lizards and dazzling scenes combine in a witty, comedic & environmentally oriented manner in this 90’s hit. Identifying with the forest’s living spirits, the residents fight the evil tree devouring monster or as we know it, a logging machine. Sending a strong message about our destruction of natural environment for our needs, Fern Gully can teach a lesson to any age.
1. Wall-E- Writer’s denial or not, one cannot help but see a connection and almost foreboding sense of warning for what our own future may hold in the recent Disney flick. To myself it seems to parallel many of our current North American habits of instant gratification, laziness and ignorance of our natural environment which is replacing much of our self-sufficient and sustainable practices in everyday lives. hopefully this is a message to not only warning but also hope for our future and that of the planet which we reside.
Honorable Mention
Secret of Nimh
The Bee Movie
The Bee Movie
101 Dalmatians
Once Upon a Time a Forest
Dora the Explorer
Fantasia
Land before Time
Brother Bear
Hoot
Over the Hedge
Links & resources
See some interesting media consultants opinions on the topic of eco-friendly kids tv:
“Children’s television has the ability to effectively teach its millions of viewers about environmental issues, yet very few programs attempt to do so.” read more...
Thanks for reading & keep looking for more to come!
