Earth Day [1] is once again upon us, and one of the best things that we can do to reevaluate our relationship with planet earth is to educate ourselves on our impact and the part we play in preserving our climate for future generations. Whether it's processes like overfishing, our high levels of meat consumption, or the consistent tree-cutting in rainforests, it's clear that the human impact is one of the greatest impacts when it comes to climate change, but there are things that we can do about it. Education, is the first step.
One way to learn more about climate change and our personal and societal role in causing it is through film. In the past few years, we've seen films like Seaspiracy and Cowspiracy encourage us to eat less fish and eat less meat, and documentaries like David Attenborough's A Life in Our Planet and The Game Changers encourage us to use renewable energy sources and to consider the positive impacts of a vegan diet [2]. This Earth Day [3], and all year round really, it's time to really think about the choices we make and their lasting impact on the planet, because planet earth needs preserving, and we all have our part to play.
Keep reading to discover 11 of the most informative documentaries, docuseries, and films to watch about climate change and sustainability.
An Inconvenient Truth
One of the original films about the issue, An Inconvenient Truth, sees former Vice President Al Gore speak about the urgency of climate change, exploring topics like global warming, carbon emissions, and extreme weather conditions. First released back in 2006, the documentary sparked so much debate that a sequel was forced to land on our screens, a whole decade later.
Watch An Inconvenient Truth on Amazon Prime Video [4].
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power
The second instalment to Gore's masterpiece, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, was released in 2017 and provided an update on the climate change crisis with some shocking statistics, even worse weather conditions, and a much higher level of urgency.
Watch An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power on Amazon Prime Video [5].
Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret
Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret [6] explores all the reasons that people go vegan in order to help the environment. The documentary investigates the significant role that meat-heavy diets play in resource depletion, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity.
Watch Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret on Netflix [7].
What The Health
What The Health comes from the creators of Cowspiracy and takes a look at the hidden truths behind meat production and manufacturing. Whilst the documentary did receive some criticism for not telling "the whole story", it does explore the relationship between eating meat and certain health conditions and encourages us to consider the small parts that we can all play to make the industry more sustainable.
Watch What The Health on Netflix [8].
The Game Changers
The Game Changers is a Netflix original that explores the concept of plant-based eating. The documentary features some pretty famous faces, including actor Arnold Schwarzenegger [9], boxer Conor McGregor, and martial arts extraordinaire Jackie Chan who each share their experience with veganism and vegetarianism.
Watch The Game Changers on Netflix [10].
Seaspiracy
One of the newer documentaries to land on Netflix, Seaspiracy takes a deep dive into the so-called sustainable fishing industry, exploring topics like overfishing, working conditions, and the part that big corporations play in keeping the industry going.
Watch Seaspiracy on Netflix [11].
Our Planet
Our Planet is a Netflix original documentary series, presented by Sir David Attenborough. The eight-part series takes you on a journey through the earth's natural habitats, exploring the impact of climate change on the animals and plants that live in them.
Watch Our Planet on Netflix [12].
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet
No one does a documentary quite like Attenborough, so it makes perfect sense that the historian has not just one but four documentaries about the earth. David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet is an in-depth look at the current state of the planet and explores the options that humans have in order to save it.
Watch David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet on Netflix. [13]
Down to Earth with Zac Efron
A charming (and sometimes goofy) miniseries [14], Down to Earth with Zac Efron [15] follows Efron and his friend and wellness expert, Darin Olien, on a journey through different parts of the world, to explore their sustainable practises. From discovering the art of being a water sommelier and decorating your own chocolate to exploring the health benefits of ayahuasca and meeting centenarians in Sardinia, there's an episode for everyone.
Watch Down to Earth with Zac Efron on Netflix [16].
Chasing Coral
Chasing Coral explores the truth behind coral bleaching and the loss of the world's reefs. It follows a dedicated team of divers, photographers, and marine biologists who consistently track the demise of the reef and explores the human-induced climate change that causes it.
Watch Chasing Coral on Netflix [17].
Climate Change: Ade On the Frontline
Climate Change: Ade On the Frontline is a three-part, informative series presented by Ade Adepitan. Each series sees Adepitan visiting a different part of the world, from Bangladesh and Bhutan to Scandinavia and Australia, exploring the effects of climate change on life in the hopes of discovering the potential solutions for saving the planet.
Watch Climate Change: Ade On the Frontline on BBC iPlayer [18].