Hopefully you clicked on this post because you care about the environment. Climate change is real, y’all. I recently watched the new documentary, “I Am Greta“, about the teenage climate activist and it was so inspiring. The film highlights the growing gap between worsening climate impacts and warnings from scientists on the one hand, and the words and actions of world leaders on the other. In the doc, Greta and other young people demand a safe future and that leaders listen to the science — but instead they are met with empty words from politicians, and ridicule or even death threats from individuals. It’s an extreme source of frustration not only for Greta & Co. but viewers as well. Documentaries are a beautiful way to become more informed and inspired by getting a real look at the inside life of the subjects. So grab some popcorn, settle in and add these environmental documentaries to your queue.
“Our Planet“
Narrated by everyone’s favorite voice of nature, David Attenborough, “Our Planet” is a unique look at the beauty of our world and how it has been impacted by climate change. With eight visually stunning episodes to get through, this Netflix original documentary will take you around the world to see how a huge number of species and eco-systems are holding up to climate change. Travel from the African planes and antelope to frozen mountains and Siberian tigers and experience the incredible diversity our planet has to offer.
“A Plastic Ocean“
In the center of the Pacific Ocean gyre, researchers found more plastic than plankton. “A Plastic Ocean” documents the newest science, proving how plastics, once they enter the oceans, break up into small particulates that enter the food chain where they attract toxins like a magnet. These toxins are stored in seafood’s fatty tissues, and eventually consumed by us. After seeing how much plastic fills the ocean, journalist Craig Leeson went on a journey with help from scientists to show the consequences of the pollution and share solutions.
“National Parks Adventure“
As a National Park enthusiast myself, this documentary was incredibly calming. Narrated by Robert Redford, “National Parks Adventure” takes audiences on the ultimate off-trail adventure into the nation’s awe-inspiring great outdoors and untamed wilderness. The incredible cinematography takes viewers soaring over red rock canyons, hurtling up craggy mountain peaks and into other-worldly realms found within America’s most legendary outdoor playgrounds, including Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Yosemite and Arches. If you’re looking for a documentary that’s less like a horror film and more like an appreciation masterpiece, this is it.
“Bill Nye: Science Guy“
If you’ve ever tried to argue with a climate change skeptic, you know how infuriating it can be. In this 2017 documentary, Bill Nye, the one and only, takes on climate change deniers like only he can; with wit, compassion and a boatload of knowledge to back it up. Bill Nye is a man on a mission: to stop the spread of anti-scientific thinking across the world. Now the CEO of The Planetary Society, an organization founded by Bill’s mentor Carl Sagan, he’s advocating for the importance of science, research and discovery in public life. This behind-the-scenes portrait of Nye follows him as he takes off his Science Guy lab coat and takes on those who deny climate change, evolution and a science-based world view.
“Chasing Ice“
Acclaimed National Geographic photographer, James Balog, was once a skeptic about climate change. But through his Extreme Ice Survey, he discovers undeniable evidence of our changing planet. In “Chasing Ice”, Balog deploys revolutionary time-lapse cameras to capture a multi-year record of the world’s changing glaciers. His hauntingly beautiful videos compress years into seconds and capture ancient mountains of ice in motion as they disappear at a breathtaking rate. Chasing Ice depicts a heroic photojournalist on a mission to deliver fragile hope to our carbon-powered planet.
“An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power“
No list of environmental documentaries would be complete without mentioning the climate change film that added fuel to the conversation, An Inconvenient Truth, which features former American Vice President Al Gore’s efforts to inform and inspire climate policies around the globe. The story continues 10 years later with “An Inconvenient Sequel”, following Gore on his environmental campaign, sharing poignant personal and public moments with activists across the planet.
