When one is learning about environmental issues, it is important for a person to understand the raw scientific data and statistics that surround the issue and what it ultimately means in relation to the problem. However, looking at this information alone can at times become impersonal, and cause a person to not have an emotional attachment to the issue. This is where outside narratives and stories can help to create awareness for an issue, and help people to become emotionally invested in wanting to help bring about a change. When looking at these works of fiction, I am not sure a person could find a much better piece of art than Hayao Miyazaki’s classic film Princess Mononoke. Through creative vehicles like Nago’s curse and Ashitaka’s “eyes unclouded by hate”, Miyazaki presents a number of very poignant messages directed at the harms of metal pollution, the relationship between humans and nature, and the idea of reaching and recovering from an environmental breaking point.
One of the main concerns that Miyazaki tries to portray in this film is the rate at which humans are destroying the forest and environment, which if they continue, they are going to completely destroy the forest and all the
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Throughout a number of studies, metal pollution has proven to be extremely toxic towards animals and humans alike, causing major detrimental health issues for both populations. While unlike the movie iron is not one of the metals that is most likely to cause damage, there are a number that do, for example lead, copper and nickel (Grazing Animals article). Potentially the most important side effect of this is genetic changes that can occur (171 page article). A great example of this is when Nago became cursed after having an iron bullet lodged inside him. Additional potential effects of toxicity today are high morbidity and mortality