Over the Christmas break, we watched FernGully: The Last Rainforest. My youngest, Mr. 9,
had never seen it before, while for me, it had been over 20 years. I remember watching this
film when it was first released in 1992—my heart swelled at the possibility of magic and
fairies. But this time, I watched through a new lens, and what I saw hit me differently.
For those unfamiliar, FernGully is set in the Australian rainforest, where magical inhabitants
fight to save their home from a destructive logging machine and the polluting force known
as Hexxus. Hexxus is a dark, oily spirit of destruction, embodying greed and industrialisation.
He thrives on toxic waste, smoke, and pollution, growing stronger as the environment
suffers.
As I watched, my stomach sank, and my heart grew heavy. When Hexxus sang, “I see the
world and all the creatures in it, I’ll suck them all dry… ‘cause greedy human beings will
always lend a hand with the destruction of this worthless jungle land…”, I realised this kids’
movie was a stark reflection of what we’re witnessing today.
The environmental destruction depicted in FernGully isn’t just a fantasy—it’s happening in
real-time. Deforestation, pollution, and climate change are affecting not just our landscapes
but also our health. Air pollution from fossil fuels contributes to respiratory illnesses.
Heatwaves and extreme weather events are straining our healthcare systems. The loss of
biodiversity affects our food security and mental well-being. The connections between
planetary and human health have never been clearer.
But here’s where the shift happened. That heavy pit of despair inside me transformed into a
burning passion. I realised that while much of this crisis is out of my control, not all of it is.
FernGully reminded me that, despite the destruction and doom we see, we still have the
power to create change—within our workplaces, our communities, and our homes.
As the movie reached towards the end, Magi, the wise elder says one particular quote that
has resonated deeply with me.

“Look to the hero inside yourself. Look to the good and loving heart in you and all others. For
just as every seed holds the power and magic of creation, so too, do you and every other
creature in this world. We all have a power, and it grows when it’s shared.”
Some might call this naive, but I choose to see the good and loving heart in others. Moving
into 2025, I refuse to be trapped in narratives that only highlight power structures and
destruction. Instead, I will focus on what we can do. Change happens when we choose to
reframe what we see and what we want for this world.
We ALL have a power, and it grows when it’s shared. I will continue to share my knowledge
& story so that others may thrive, because when we work together—just like the fairies of
FernGully—we can protect what matters most, people and planet.
So, as we step into this new year, let’s ask ourselves: What role will we play? Will we be
bystanders, or will we be the ones who choose to plant the seeds of change?
I know where I stand.