5 Environmental Lessons from HBO's The Last of Us
Photograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO
Two years after season one, HBO's post-apocalyptic drama-thriller The Last of Us resumes with its second season in April 2025. Based on the Naughty Dog video game franchise that took the world by storm, the series stars Pedro Pascal as Joel, a hardened smuggler with a dark past, and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, a rebellious teenager with a world-changing secret. The two characters must fight to survive together in a world plagued by zombies and other life-threatening dangers.
Environmental themes are woven throughout The Last of Us, creating nuanced commentary for the viewer's consideration. As we prepare for season two, let's revisit some of the story's major environmental lessons.
Climate change leads to higher risk of disease
In The Last of Us, warming temperatures cause the parasitic Cordyceps fungus to evolve, allowing it to infect humans and turn them into zombie-like creatures. This inciting event leads to a global pandemic and the collapse of human society. While a zombie apocalypse may be far-fetched for the real world, the increased risk of disease and evolving pathogens is a very real threat presented by climate change.
Photograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO
Food insecurity can create social unrest
Throughout the series, characters suffer from food insecurity and live in authoritarian quarantine zones where the community sanctions its limited resources. Many of them resort to violence, raiding, or even cannibalism to survive under these extreme conditions. These struggles speak to the challenges of extreme food insecurity and the ethical dilemmas that come with it, emphasizing the importance of maintaining sustainable food systems.
Nature thrives in the absence of human interference
Nature is a central theme in The Last of Us, with Ellie and Joel spending a significant part of their journey in the wilderness. The abandoned cities show nature thriving and reclaiming urban spaces, from the overgrowth of moss and vines on city buildings to monkeys scampering around a university campus. One of the show's most beautiful moments is in Salt Lake City, where the main characters come across a herd of giraffes living in the urban landscape. The presence of nature signals that there is still beauty in the world and hope is not lost.
Sustainable practices create sustainable communities
In The Last of Us' post-apocalyptic world, those who survive best use sustainable practices. Bill and Frank have their backyard farm, where they grow fruits and vegetables. Marlon and Florence survive by building a cabin in the wilderness and living off the land. The Jackson settlement is a thriving community with local farms and a hydroelectric dam as its power source. These communities are a reminder that thriving on a warming planet is still possible if we are willing to shift towards more sustainable practices.
Community and collaboration are central to our survival
At its heart, The Last of Us is a story about the power of love and human connection. Relationships are the driving force for survival, and those who survive are bound by a sense of responsibility and care towards one another. Community and collaboration are essential when fighting the climate crisis in the real world.
At EMA, we know how critical it is for Hollywood to tell a diverse array of climate and environmental stories. See a list of our past EMA nominees and winners here.
Katy Ho (she/her) is a Chinese Canadian writer, activist, and daughter of refugees who explores the intersections of gender, climate, and pop culture through her work. When she's not writing about feminism and climate justice, you can find her hosting book club meetings, visiting her local thrift store, and coaching the next generation of climate leaders.