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Geek Culture and Conservation

Mar 26, 2025 | Culture & Society, Nature, Nerdery

In today’s world, where environmental issues are becoming increasingly pressing, it’s essential to explore unique avenues for promoting conservation efforts- how to get people excited and involved. One unexpected but powerful ally in this mission is tapping in to the awe inspiring… geek culture.

With its passionate communities and creative expressions, we geeks have the potential to drive positive change and inspire a love for nature.

So, what does Geek Culture and Conservation Entail?

Before we dive deeper, let’s establish a clear understanding of our terms.

Geek culture refers to a community of individuals who are passionate about various forms of media, including movies, TV shows, video games, comics, and more. (~long live and prosper~)

Geek culture is a celebration of niche interests, where enthusiasts find common ground and embrace their shared passions.

Conservation refers to the protection, preservation, and wise use of natural resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity. It involves efforts to maintain and restore the health and integrity of the environment.

Conservation and sustainability are closely related concepts that share the goal of promoting responsible resource management and environmental stewardship. Conservation efforts often incorporate sustainable practices to ensure the long-term viability of ecosystems and the well-being of both present and future generations.

Geek culture and conservation can intersect in surprising ways, harnessing the power of fandoms and popular media to raise awareness and inspire action.

A few examples include:

Science Fiction & Environmentalism

Many books, movies, and television series have long explored the devastating consequences of environmental neglect and the urgent need for conservation. These stories often serve as cautionary tales, imagining futures shaped by climate change, pollution, deforestation, and resource scarcity. Through their speculative lenses, they emphasize the critical importance of taking action before it’s too late.

Films like Wall-E, for instance, depict a future Earth abandoned and overrun by waste, where robots are left to clean up the mess humanity left behind. In its poignant silence and stunning visuals (YES, you heard me – poignant silence), Wall-E reminds us that our current trajectory could lead to a world devoid of natural beauty, life, and human connection.

Television shows such as The Expanse delve even deeper into the sociopolitical consequences of environmental degradation. In the series, Earth is overpopulated and reliant on basic assistance from a bloated, bureaucratic government, while humanity has spread into the solar system in search of new resources. Environmental collapse is a backdrop to the tensions between Earth, Mars, and the Belt, subtly drawing parallels to current global inequalities and the exploitation of both people and planets. The show raises compelling questions about responsibility, sustainability, and the ethical implications of expansion without reform.

Other stories like Snowpiercer take a darker approach, imagining a world devastated by a failed climate experiment that plunges the planet into a new ice age. The remnants of humanity survive aboard a perpetually moving train, where rigid class divisions mirror the environmental justice issues of today. The film, and its later TV adaptation, critiques how environmental disaster often disproportionately affects the poor and marginalized. Similarly, Okja, a film by Bong Joon-ho, presents a more intimate story of corporate greed and animal exploitation through the journey of a young girl trying to rescue a genetically modified super-pig. The film questions the ethics of factory farming and the commodification of nature.

AppleTVs show, Severence…

Even animated series like Avatar: The Last Airbender and its sequel The Legend of Korra integrate themes of environmental stewardship. The former’s depiction of the Fire Nation’s industrialization and its impact on the Earth Kingdom’s natural balance is a metaphor for real-world exploitation of natural resources. These series blend fantasy and reality, offering younger audiences accessible yet impactful messages about respecting the planet. By telling these stories across different genres and mediums, creators inspire awareness and action, urging us to imagine—and fight for—a better, greener future before the warnings of fiction become reality.

Gaming for Good

Video games have a massive and passionate following within the geek community, and they’ve emerged as an unexpected yet powerful medium for promoting conservation awareness. With their immersive storytelling, interactive gameplay, and emotional engagement, games can connect players to environmental issues in a way that’s both educational and deeply personal. More and more developers are weaving ecological themes into their worlds—not just as a backdrop, but as central elements of the gameplay experience.

Titles like Journey and Never Alone are perfect examples. Journey, with its vast, windswept deserts and silent exploration, evokes a deep reverence for nature and solitude, subtly nudging players to reflect on the fragility of the world around them. Never Alone, developed in collaboration with Iñupiat storytellers and elders, shares the wisdom and environmental values of Indigenous Alaskan culture. By navigating the harsh but beautiful Arctic landscape, players learn about interconnectedness and survival in harmony with nature.

Other games go even further in exploring environmental collapse and the impact of human actions. ABZÛ, from the art director of Journey, takes players underwater to explore a vibrant ocean teeming with life—and sometimes devoid of it—highlighting the beauty of marine ecosystems and the threats they face. In Endling: Extinction is Forever, players take on the role of the last mother fox on Earth, guiding her cubs through a devastated world shaped by pollution and human encroachment. It’s an emotional, heart-wrenching journey that delivers a clear message about extinction and the cost of environmental apathy.

Even major franchises have embraced environmental storytelling. Horizon Zero Dawn presents a lush, post-apocalyptic world where nature has reclaimed cities, and players must unravel the story of a civilization undone by its own technological excess. It’s a sci-fi epic, but at its core lies a clear commentary on sustainability, ecological balance, and the consequences of ignoring climate warning signs.

By drawing players into richly imagined worlds that mirror our own challenges, these games do more than entertain—they build empathy, spark curiosity, and inspire action. The interactive nature of gaming creates a unique space where conservation isn’t just a message, but something players actively engage with. It’s storytelling with stakes, agency, and heart—and it’s helping to build a new generation of eco-conscious geeks.

Eco-Friendly Cosplay

Cosplay—the vibrant, creative heart of geek culture—is more than just dressing up; it’s a form of self-expression, storytelling, and community connection. But like many forms of crafting and fashion, cosplay can have an environmental footprint. The good news? A growing number of cosplayers are leading the charge toward sustainability, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice creativity for consciousness.

Eco-friendly cosplay is all about making intentional choices. Many creators are turning to recycled or upcycled materials, transforming old clothing, thrift store finds, and scrap fabric into jaw-dropping costumes. From reusing EVA foam from past builds to repurposing plastic packaging for armor pieces, these eco-savvy makers are breathing new life into discarded materials. It’s not just budget-friendly—it’s planet-friendly, too.

Ethically sourced fabrics are also gaining popularity in the cosplay world. Materials like organic cotton, bamboo, and even innovative textiles made from recycled ocean plastic are being woven into costume designs. Some cosplayers choose to hand-stitch and dye their own fabrics using natural dyes, reducing reliance on mass-produced, chemically treated materials. These practices don’t just lower environmental impact—they add a layer of craftsmanship and authenticity to the final creation.

Beyond materials, sustainable cosplay includes practices like minimizing waste, using non-toxic adhesives and paints, and sharing tips and tutorials on low-impact crafting. Online communities and eco-cosplay hashtags are blossoming, giving artists a platform to showcase their green creations and inspire others to do the same. Even costume swaps and repair sessions at conventions are gaining traction, encouraging reuse and collaboration.

By embracing eco-conscious methods, cosplayers are proving that sustainability and self-expression can go hand in hand. They’re showing that geek culture doesn’t just reflect the stories we love—it can also shape the future we want to live in. So whether you’re channeling your favorite hero, villain, or intergalactic space rebel, doing it with care for the Earth adds an extra layer of power to your cosplay.

Books: Geek Culture Meets Conservation

Books rule—whether it’s the sprawling worlds of high fantasy, the intricacies of speculative sci-fi, or the deeply researched science nonfiction that expands our understanding of the universe. Within this rich literary landscape, a number of titles stand out for the way they blend geeky wonder with serious environmental themes. These books don’t just educate—they inspire action, spark curiosity, and challenge us to think about the role we play in shaping the planet’s future.

The World Without Us by Alan Weisman is a thought experiment turned page-turner. Weisman imagines a planet where humans suddenly disappear, allowing nature to reclaim cities, highways, and farmlands. The book examines how long our traces would linger—from plastic and skyscrapers to radiation—and what this says about our ecological legacy. It’s a chilling yet awe-inspiring reminder of Earth’s resilience, and a call to reduce the long-term scars we leave behind.

In The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, Elizabeth Kolbert blends sharp journalism and scientific storytelling to explore the current mass extinction event—one driven not by meteors or ice ages, but by us. From disappearing amphibians to vanishing coral reefs, Kolbert traces the ripple effects of climate change, habitat loss, and human interference. It’s essential reading for anyone looking to understand just how far-reaching our environmental impact has become, and why every effort to change course matters.

On a more fantastical note, The Nature of Middle-earth by J.R.R. Tolkien offers a unique glimpse into the ecological underpinnings of one of geek culture’s most beloved universes. Tolkien’s deep reverence for the natural world—seen in the Ents, the forests of Lothlórien, and the Shire’s rolling hills—is further explored in this collection. These writings reveal how his love of nature wasn’t just background flavor; it was central to his mythology. Tolkien’s work subtly reminds readers of the magic in the world around us—and the tragedy of its destruction.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler presents a near-future America devastated by environmental collapse, social inequality, and corporate control. The protagonist’s journey isn’t just about survival—it’s about forging a new belief system rooted in adaptability, stewardship, and community. Butler’s vision is harrowing, but her message is ultimately one of hope: that even in ruin, we have the power to grow something better.

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, bridges science and Indigenous wisdom through beautifully lyrical essays. While not a fantasy or sci-fi book in the traditional sense, it resonates deeply with readers who appreciate worldbuilding, interconnectedness, and systems thinking. Kimmerer, a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, offers a powerful reimagining of our relationship with the Earth—one rooted in reciprocity, respect, and storytelling.

These books speak to the heart of geek culture: curiosity, imagination, and a desire to explore new ideas. Whether through fantastical worlds or real scientific inquiry, they challenge us to see our own world differently—and to protect it with the same passion we have for our favorite fandoms. The lengths I would go to, to protect an Ent!

Learning More

I LOVE learning new things, I love googling things when I hear something new and learning all about it – if you are like me and would like some more resources to check out:

Geek Ecology

Geek Ecology looks at video game and fantasy creatures through the lens of real life biology and ecology. From a wildlife biologist and video game enthusiast.

LINK: https://www.youtube.com/@geekecology

Conservation-themed Conventions

Keep an eye out for conventions and events that focus on conservation. These gatherings offer unique opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and learn from experts in the field.

Conventions like the annual AIC (American Institute for Conservation), or a Wildlife Conservation Event!

AIC LINK: https://www.culturalheritage.org/events/annual-meeting
Wildlife LINK: https://wildnet.org/events/

Online Communities

Join online forums, social media groups, discord channels, and subreddits dedicated to geek culture and environmental conservation.

Engage in discussions, share ideas, and collaborate with others passionate about driving positive change!

Just like Captain Planet, with our powers combined we can absolutely make positive changes. By leveraging the passion and creativity within our little geeky hearts, we can raise awareness, inspire action, and drive positive change for the environment.

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