Progressing but also degrading: The representation of environmental destruction and life in the future in WALL-E

Abstract

The sophisticated technology- such as AI, robots, and other automation machines- can be a double-edged dagger. On the one hand, they can help humans and humanity to have a better and easier life. On the other hand, they can lead to environmental problems- from plastic and electronic waste to obesity- and, finally: Environmental destruction. In addition, a movie, including an animated film, can be a valuable and powerful vehicle as an educational tool to raise awareness of environmental issues as it can represent the negative effect of technology on the environment if people do not consider overcoming the ecological problems and maintaining biospheric harmony. This research will focus on the movie WALL-E (Andrew Stanton, 2008) and how it represents environmental damage and future life. By closely reading the film, the authors will analyse the struggle of life in the near future when the Earth is heavily polluted and full of trash and their attempt to return to sustainable well-being.