Earth Day Entertainment: How FernGully Taught Us to Love the Jungle & Save the Rainforest

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Prior to the late ’80s, the rainforest wasn’t a concern for many; the idea of such a place was not yet widely known among the public. When people imagined dense, tropical forests like those in the Amazon, Congo, and other regions, they often thought of them as jungles. The word “jungle” brings to mind the adventures of Rudyard Kipling and Edgar Rice Burroughs, it suggests ominous locations filled with enigmatic and terrifying creatures. Protecting such places was not a priority for most people.

In my gaming world, I’d say something like: Back then, I witnessed a significant shift in our planetary connection. Books like Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” enlightened us about the dangers of pesticides, and astronaut William Anders’ Earthrise photo from space made us pause and reflect. It was then that people began to reconsider their relationship with Mother Earth. The first Earth Day took place shortly after on April 22, 1970. Though cosmic voyagers offer a unique vantage point, it’s the actions of everyday folks that truly drive change here on our home turf.

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As a nature enthusiast, I recall when Earth’s lush jungles were given a fresh identity, coined as the “rainforests.” This was around the time in the late ’80s and early ’90s that people like me became acquainted with these vital ecosystems. A wave of education swept across society about tropical forests, and we were encouraged to transform this newfound awareness into tangible environmental efforts.

One of the most cherished outcomes of this movement was the 1992 animated masterpiece, “FernGully: The Last Rainforest.” Now available for streaming on Peacock, it remains one of our dearest creations born from this global initiative to save the rainforests.

In essence, FernGully was marketed as the final vestige of pristine rainforest amid a barren landscape of deforestation. To many children, however, it served as an introduction to the concept of rainforests. Even today, it continues to symbolize our mental image of these lush ecosystems. Beyond introducing us to the notion of rainforests, FernGully instilled in us the importance of advocating for their preservation.

Rainforest conservation explained

In 1985, the recently established Rainforest Action Network (RAN) initiated an intricate strategy to protect tropical forests. Their goals were to generate awareness and secure funds, so they devised a way to achieve both. By utilizing magazine subscription lists, RAN targeted individuals with environmentally conscious minds and financial resources. They distributed lengthy brochures containing vivid depictions of life within the rainforest. The RAN skillfully portrayed the rainforest as a global oasis, teeming with biodiversity, and arguably most significantly, breathtakingly beautiful.

One effective rephrasing could be: “RAN and related groups dedicated themselves to shaping a novel perspective on tropical forests, aiming to instill this idea within a new generation. By doing so, they ignited the beginning of a larger movement. They recognized that impactful activism requires a compelling story.

How FernGully taught ‘90s kids to love the rainforest

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In the animated film FernGully, the concept was pushed to its limit by creating a full-length family movie where the rainforest itself becomes a significant character. The obvious antagonist is Hexxus, played by Tim Curry, who embodies destruction and chaos. However, there’s also a more subtle villain: humanity, represented by the ways we intrude upon and impact the untouched wilderness.

To effectively convey the atmosphere of FernGully, the production team spent weeks immersed in Australia’s tropical forests, absorbing the environment and recreating it on screen. The film begins with a tale set in a distant past, where humans and fairies coexisted, and the forest extended infinitely. However, the equilibrium of nature was disrupted, giving rise to Hexxus who wreaked havoc with fire and destruction.

People ran away in terror and haven’t been spotted since then. Many who dwell in the forest speculate that humans vanished completely before Magi (Grace Zabriskie) sealed Hexxus within an ancient tree using her natural magic powers. Now, as Magi prepares to depart, she is transferring her powers and duties of protecting nature to Crysta (Samantha Mathis). However, Crysta is still young and rather carefree; she has other interests and takes us on a journey through the enchanting world of FernGully, accompanied by the melodious track “Life is a Magic Thing” by Johnny Clegg.

The rainforest depicted on your screen is an enchanting realm teeming with various flora, fauna, tiny insects, luminescent fungi, and fantastical creatures in all sorts of sizes, predominantly small ones. It’s like a miniature magical wonderland lying just past the forest edge. However, this captivating realm is under threat by the resurgence of Hexxus, brought about by a colossal human machine intended for rapid deforestation. To safeguard FernGully, not only in the present but for all eternity, will necessitate a unified effort from humans and fairies, as well as a reconsideration of our relationship with the world.

The influence and legacy of FernGully and the movement to save the rainforest

Our world was much larger then; the forest went on forever.”

– Magi Lune, FernGully: The Last Rainforest.

Approximately one-third of the world’s forests have been destroyed over the past 300 years, with the majority of the damage happening in the last hundred years. Although the situation remains critical, initiatives such as Rainforest Action Network, FernGully, and other ’90s-era “save the rainforest” campaigns have managed to make a positive impact. A report from 2010 indicated a decrease in global deforestation rates during the first decade of the new millennium, as reported by Reuters. On average, around 32 million acres of forest were cleared each year between 2000 and 2010 for other purposes. While this is still a significant amount, it’s less than the 39.5 million acres per year that were being lost in the ’90s.

Eduardo Rojas, assistant director of the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Forestry Department, stated that for the first time, we can demonstrate a global decrease in deforestation due to combined efforts made at local and international scales. This was said during the specified period.

Despite ongoing concerns about deforestation, there’s been progress in recent years. From 2015 to 2020, global deforestation dropped significantly, averaging 25 million acres annually – a decrease of approximately 37% over the past two decades. If this downward trend persists, we might be looking at cutting down trees at only half the rate experienced in the ’90s soon.

55 years since the inaugural Earth Day, the world’s rainforests and forests continue to face threats. They harbor an overwhelming percentage of Earth’s terrestrial species diversity, and their depletion has far-reaching consequences on the entire ecosystem. Deforestation doesn’t merely diminish the forest area, it also triggers loss of species, releases trapped carbon dioxide, raises flood risks, and more. There’s much work left to be done (not just on Earth Day, but every day) and the animated film FernGully equipped a generation with the knowledge to identify the issue and take action.

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2025-04-22 21:02