40 pages., via online journal., The present essay comparatively explores and reflects on
popularizing the environment in a changing media ecology
wherein content is no longer exclusive to traditional television
viewing or distributed for cinematic release. Specifically, the
aim of this essay is to illustrate how screened presentations
such as film, television, and recently digital media, promote
environmentalist ideals in the hopes that if audiences are
entertained, then perhaps these narratives can subtly influence
thinking and behavior. This review also draws from research on
mediating the environment in television and film studies as
well as scholarly literature on entertainment-education. The
implications of this essay indicate that whether real or fictional,
eco-friendly content is growing in popular media and no
longer the backdrop to the story being told. As this essay
shows, media professionals have started embracing entertaining content infused with content of value so that audiences
can “see” why the environment is important.
