Realizing through first-year students how Empathy, Environment, and Leadership Resonate with Evergreen’s Mission.

On September 24th, the Climate Center hosted with the Experiential Learning Hub a film screening of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind as part of the campus Orientation Week. This wasn’t just any movie night; it was a deeply reflective experience for many students, and it offered more than just entertainment. The themes of environmentalism, leadership, and the solarpunk way of life intertwined with the lived experiences and aspirations of the Evergreen student body. 

I was struck by how the film served as a mirror to so many of the issues we care about in our academic and personal lives—sustainability, social justice, and the need for balance between technology and nature. As Aeowyn, one of our senior student workers, put it in her introduction of the film, Nausicaä is about a young woman growing into an activist and a leader, standing between the forces of destruction and renewal. Her journey, set in a post-apocalyptic world where people have rebuilt their lives in harmony with the land, feels remarkably close to the solarpunk ideals that are gaining momentum today. Solarpunk imagines a future where technology and nature coexist in symbiosis, and that’s exactly what the people of the Valley of the Wind demonstrate—living sustainably in a world that has been ravaged but still holds beauty and hope. 

The students and staff who attended—nearly 60 of them—were visibly moved by the film. Many were seeing it for the first time, while others, like myself, had grown up with it. The event felt intimate, despite the full room. We had set up comfortable spaces, served fresh fruit and veggies snacks from our own campus Organic Farm, and welcomed everyone with classic popcorn from Student Activities. Intended to make the space feel safe and inclusive, particularly with the heavier themes present in the film, including environmental collapse, violence, and the lasting scars of war. 

One of the most powerful aspects of the event were the (unintended) post-film discussion (like true Greeners many of us couldn’t refrain from seminaring on what we’d just seen). Students and staff began to share how Nausicaä sparked their own thoughts on activism, climate justice, and leadership. They resonated with the way Nausicaä blends scientific inquiry—she collects data, studies plants, and constantly tests her environment—with a more intuitive, almost spiritual understanding of the world. This duality reminded many of us of how we, as individuals and communities, navigate different ways of knowing. Nausicaä’s use of both Western scientific methodologies and Indigenous wisdom resonated deeply with students. Her ability to unite people not through force, but through empathy, learning, and leadership, mirrors the kind of change we aspire to foster on campus and beyond. 

As I reflected on the event afterward, I realized how important it is to provide students with examples of both the challenges and the possibilities that lie ahead of us. Nausicaä shows a world on the brink of collapse, but also one where small communities have figured out how to live in balance with the environment—a vision that felt especially pertinent in a time of growing climate anxiety. The students saw characters who grappled with power, corruption, and greed, but who ultimately found ways to heal both the land and their societies. It’s a reminder that even in the face of overwhelming adversity, there’s room for hope, ingenuity, and collective action. 

This screening was more than just the start of the school year; it was a way to begin conversations about the roles we each play in shaping the future. As we watched the film together, we were reminded of the different ways people can contribute to social change. Whether as storytellers, healers, builders, or guides, the characters in Nausicaä embody many of these roles, and students were quick to see themselves reflected in these archetypes. Nausicaä herself is an inspiring example of how to lead with both strength and compassion—a message I hope will stay with students throughout the year. 

Hosting this event reaffirmed the power of storytelling as a tool for sparking social imagination. It wasn’t just about watching a movie; it was about connecting with each other, thinking critically about the world we live in, and exploring what’s possible. And as we continue our work on campus, whether through climate action projects, internships, or student-led initiatives, the themes of Nausicaä will likely serve as a guiding light—reminding us that even in the most difficult times, we have the capacity to create a better future.