Must-Watch Environmental Movies

If you don't know much about a topic, but don't know where to begin finding information, watching a documentary is a great place to start. There are many environmentally-focused movies that target specific issues with accuracy, while also adding entertainment value. This list of some of my favourites will detail what each is about, where to find them, and why they are worth watching!

Planet Earth

Watching any instalment of the BBC Planet Earth series is a great place to start gaining knowledge on ecology and the world around us. Most episodes do not have a targeted environmental or conservation message, but serve to show what the world around us is like, and why it is worth protecting. The beautiful shots and entertaining commentary by Sir David Attenborough perfectly highlight some of the most famous and hidden ecosystems in the world. Another benefit of this series is that you can choose which area of the world you would like to explore: the episodes are broken down into areas (desert, rainforest, deep ocean, etc), so you can pick what interests you the most. The Planet Earth series (I and II) as well as the BBC Blue Planet series, and other great BBC nature docs can be found on Netflix.

Image From: Providence Daily Dose

Our Planet

Our Planet is my favourite nature documentary of all time for a few reasons. Firstly, it features stunning camerawork as well as commentary by Sir David Attenborough, similar to Planet Earth. What sets it apart from the rest for me is the fact that along with each ecosystem shown comes a discussion about how it is being affected by human activity. The series does not shy away from graphic images of the effects of climate change on animals, and is very specific about how human activity is directly causing these effects. This is a great documentary for anyone wondering what is actually happening around the world as a result of climate change and environmental degradation. The documentary does a great job of showing what is happening, and the associated website can help you learn how to make a positive change. Our Planet is a Netflix original, and can be found on Netflix.

Image From: Blue Planet Scuba

A Plastic Ocean

This is another movie that is great for helping us to visualize the lasting effects of our behaviour. This movie begins by familiarizing you with blue whales and one journalist's search for them. It then transitions into showing how the search for the whales and the whales themselves are affected by the vast quantities of plastic in the ocean around them. This movie allows us to see with our own eyes where some of our plastic products end up. It is a good reminder that any of the plastic that we have ever used still exists on this planet in some form. One of the most impactful aspects of this movie is the fact that it periodically tells the viewer how much plastic has been produced, thrown out, or washed into the ocean from the start of the movie. The numbers are staggering. A Plastic Ocean can be found on Netflix, and has its own organization and website giving more information and detailing ways to get involved in their cause.

Image From: Netflix

Chasing Coral

Chasing Corals does an amazing job of bringing the viewer along on a firsthand journey with the filmmakers. You learn as they do, and get a front row seat to see the extensive damage undergone by corals around the world. The movie features coral experts who adeptly explain how corals live and what damages them in a way that non-scientists can understand. This is a great movie to watch if you have heard about coral and bleaching events, but don't know a lot about coral itself. By the end, you will be fully informed on the science behind coral bleaching, and will likely be moved to act. This movie also has a website, which will keep you informed on how to learn more and take action. Chasing Coral is a Netlfix original and can be found on Netflix.

Image From: Chasing Coral

The True Cost

In my opinion, The True Cost is one of the most informative and highly pertinent documentaries on Netflix. This documentary covers how "fast fashion" clothing items are made. If you read our last blog post about fast fashion, and would like to learn more, this documentary is a great place to start. It highlights the environmental degradation caused by the production of our clothes, as well as many of the impacts it has on humans in developing countries. This movie is a must-see before choosing clothing to buy. This movie provides the information we all need in order to make fully informed decisions when shopping. The True Cost also has a website with more information as well as tips for buying better. This movie can be found on Netflix.

Image From: The True Cost Movie

Other Worthwhile Movies

Blackfish (Netflix)

Mission Blue (Netflix)

Cowspiracy (Netflix)

Earthlings (watch here)

Hopefully one or more of these documentaries will spark your interest in a subject and inspire you to make a change! If you do not have Netflix or would like to share the movies with others, many of these documentaries allow you to organize your own screening event for yourself, family, or friends through their websites! Enjoy!