For my A-level film studies coursework i am in great need of peoples opinions of where this theme is shown and why they think Miyazaki has used that in his film. Most common films that represent this theme are 'Princess Mononoke', 'Spirited Away', 'Ponyo' and 'My neighbour totoro' so if you have anything to say about those films i would be extremely happy, Thank you for your time!
shareFirst post to the boards, so sorry if this isn't quite up to standards...
Concerning environmentalism in Miyazakian productions:
TL;DR: Nature cleans up after us unless fun sized humans find magical puff bunnies in the woods.
1) Princess Mononoke
The main relation to environmentalism is the human influence on the environment and effects humans don't fully understand the implications of. Lady Eboshi is that character that doesn't quite understand/doesn't care about their action's affect on nature. San represents the chaotic good who counter balances Eboshi as a mediator between humans and the natural world. She can be paralleled to a very pissed off environmentalist in today's world. Ashitaka is the ignorant human that is learning to respect/understand nature, and has been archetyped thoroughly (Pochahantas' John Smith, Fern Gully's Zak Young, Avatar's Jake Sully to name a few).
Nature is in a constant struggle with humans for it's ability to exist. Eboshi instigated the hatred of nature by mining for iron and creating the village - destroying the home of the forest gods while depleting iron deposits in one stroke and replacing the land with brothels and lepers. Her indirect creation of Nago the Demon verbally curses all humans early in the movie further showing the anger nature has for humans. Ottoko launching his attack is an extension of this hatred. It takes quite a bit for humans and the environment to come to an accord, though it eventually does.
Environmentalism is used to stress that we must find balance with nature. Eboshi encroaching into nature's domain is the cause of all the issues here. Moro, Nago, and Okkoto (the natural lords) all distrust and even hate humans for what they are doing to the natural world. It is likely a coincidence, but the release of this movie came only two years after the 1997 international conference of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Kyoto. However, this correlation doesn't mean causation, yeah?
2) Ponyo
Ponyo isn't as much about humans causing a natural imbalance as it is about nature adapting to a self imposed imbalance. Ponyo desires to be human and removes herself from her natural world to be part of another by human (Sosuke) influence. Think of this as a species moving from it's natural habitat to another causing an environmental imbalance (think along the lines of an invasive species, though Ponyo is quite the happily ignorant invasive...ummm... squishy mini fish wizard). Ponyo leaving causes everything from tsunami's to the sky falling in her new environment because it is not her place to be there. Nature is attempting to adapt to her presence in this new environment which is causing havoc in the world.
Ponyo is from nature but exhibits the flaws of a human. This is interesting as in most cases a human ruins the natural balance. Her desire to be human radiates a few major traits humans generally have: 1) She has no regard for her action's consequences (similar to Eboshi in Mononoke). 2) Although she is the cause of turmoil, she doesn't take responsibility (again similar to Eboshi). 3) Other characters (Fujimoto, Granmamare) are forced to balance her actions.
Although it may be a stretch, environmentalism in Ponyo may be used to show that not only humans are to blame for turmoil with the environment. Nature sometimes has internal affairs that extend to the human realm as well (hurricanes, tornadoes, migratory species). In it's attempt to adapt to itself we may be asked to adapt as well. Humans may not directly cause the turmoil, but how we react to it can make all the difference.
3) My Neighbor Totoro
There is really no chaotic good, or 'bad guy' in this film. Everyone works in harmony within the human world and the natural world. The girls interact kindly and happily with nature as is the way nature interacts back with the girls. This is best shown upon the disappearance of Mei. The Totoros are willing to summon the Catbus to help Satsuki find Mei and reach the hospital.
In this film environmentalism isn't shown as a conflict, but rather as a celebration. In contrast to Mononoke or Ponyo, there is no real conflict or impending disaster beyond a missing child. Miyazaki shows that this is how humans and nature can and should interact. It is the only film where humans and nature work together simply because both are pleased with one another.
4) Spirited Away
In my opinion, Spirited Away is a lesser example of environmentalism in Miyazaki's works. The only obvious example (although stretched metaphor) I can think of right now is the parents transforming into pigs upon gorging themselves with food. Humans are depleting resources, taking what's not theirs, and shown for what they really are - pigs.
I really think Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind is a great example of environmentalism and well above Spirited Away. You did not ask for that film, so I assume your assignment or work is bound within those previous four films.
If you need/want anything else beyond my first thoughts, let me know.
~mEp