Doctor Robotnik uses flowers and small animals to fuel his evil robotic empire.
Sonic dashes in to defeat this evil man and save the forest.
Especially seen in "Sonic CD" ("Save the Planet from Disaster!"), Sonic is a symbol of Environmentalism, and Eggman is a symbol of Industrialization...
It's also kinda funny that this concept was formed in Japan; lil Robo-central over there. (Asimo!)
The last level is usually always a base filled with machines and metallic stuff. Call it subliminal messages, but I totally see that Sonic's 2-D story is an allegory to the fight against the machines!
Does anyone else totally get and totally respect what Sonic is really standing for?
Exercise and staying fit.
No really. His competition during the time the Sonic series was created was Mario, a fat plumber. The Genesis boasted faster speeds than the Nintendo consoles, thus saying skinny, in shape Sonic could run at speeds faster than the overweight Mario. Furthermore, who's the main bad guy of the Sonic series? Dr. Robotnik/Eggman himself, another obese character.
Strangely, the only flaw I can see is that Eggy can outrun Sonic in the games if he gets a head start. x_X
Oh, that's because Sonic didn't want to catch him. They're in it together, just playing back and forth thru the zones they destroy. Craig told me so. =D
how did craig come about this shocking revelation? Is he in on it with them?! 
:"> O
Obviously...Sonic is the tree loving hippie with the 'radical' attitude and Robotnik is the evil, fat and greedy businessman who could care less about the enviroment! Oh those funny Japanese!
"Save the planet from disaster" is not canon, the correct lyrics involve Egg never being alone, some kid called Jake having to watch out for a Sonic Boom and leather and lace.
But, yeah. Sonic CD is the only game with any hint of saving the environment. The rest are basically mimicing Mega Man's "mad scientist + robots = no" philosophy.
Not only that, but Sonic occasionally tends to murder his Flicky friends.
Metropolis Zone. Starfish. Nuff said.
Ok, you people have to stop lifting your jokes from my commentaries *laughs* they'll think you're coming up with this stuff yourself!
Should've copyrighted them then. It's in the public domain now!
eggman drives/flies everywhere, while sonic runs on foot.
no bad carbon footprint for this hedgehog!
Maybe Eggman can pay some carbon credits to make up for it. 
But he's eroding the ground by continually running across it all. 
And he destroys ancient archeological ruins of incalculable worth by jumping on them and shattering them! D:
I always thought he was a symbol of enviromentalism!
