How 'The Little Mermaid' Fans Are Inspired by 'Avatar: The Way of Water' to Protect the Oceans

Disney fans are combining their love for "The Little Mermaid" and "Avatar: The Way of Water" to make a positive impact in the real world.

Fandom Forward, a nonprofit organization that trains fans to become activists for social justice causes, launched the Protect Ariel's Home campaign in April to coincide with Earth Month. The campaign aims to educate and empower Disney fans to take collective action to protect water resources and ocean conservation.

According to Fandom Forward, water is essential for life, but it is also threatened by pollution, climate change, and overexploitation. Moreover, water issues disproportionately affect marginalized communities, especially people of color and indigenous people.

The campaign also draws inspiration from "Avatar: The Way of Water", the sci-fi blockbuster that explores the vibrant aquatic ecosystems of an alien world called Pandora. The film, which is playing only in theaters, extends the story of the 2009 hit "Avatar", which told the tale of a habitable alien moon, the blue-skinned humanoids who live there (the Na’vi), and the conflict that arises when space-faring humans try to colonize and mine the world, regardless of the environmental havoc they wreak.

Fandom Forward says that "Avatar: The Way of Water" shows the beauty and diversity of life in the oceans, and how humans can learn from and respect other cultures and species. The film also highlights the importance of ocean conservation, as it partnered with The Nature Conservancy, a non-profit organization that works to protect 10 of our ocean’s amazing animals and their habitats, connected to the beauty of Pandora.

The campaign offers various ways for fans to get involved, such as signing petitions, contacting lawmakers, donating to organizations, attending webinars, and sharing educational resources on social media. Fans can also participate in creative challenges inspired by "The Little Mermaid" and "Avatar: The Way of Water", such as writing fanfiction, making art, or composing songs.

One of the main goals of the campaign is to raise $10,000 for two organizations that work on water protection and ocean conservation: Charity: Water and The Nature Conservancy. As of June 17, 2023, the campaign has raised over $8,000.

Fandom Forward says that the campaign is not only about raising money, but also about raising awareness and building community among fans who care about these issues.

"We hope that this campaign will inspire fans to use their creativity and passion to make a difference in the world," said Katie Bowers, the executive director of Fandom Forward. "We believe that fans have the power to change the world for good."

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