6 Environmental documentaries to watch and share
The environment and our health are intrinsically connected. Living in the current pandemic, this couldn’t be more obvious, constant human activity is cutting down on animal space and the environmental degradation is reaching what most scientists deem a point of no return. That is without even thinking about our increasing plastic use.
However, there are things we can do to change this! By educating ourselves, changing to more sustainable practices and reducing our carbon footprint we can make a positive change in the world.
With this in mind, and as we celebrate World Environment Health Day on 26th September, we decided to share the six environmental documentaries that we can’t stop watching! They are available on Netflix and BBC iPlayer. So give them a go!
1. Our planet (2019)
Winner of two Emmy awards, this amazing docuseries released on Netflix to their global audience shows us in eight episodes the interdependence of the different ecosystems across the world, and how human activity plays a role in the fall and hopefully future rise of these.
Narrated by the brilliant David Attenborough, each episode shines a light on specific problems seen across different habitats and, while it intends to make the viewer uncomfortable, it also gives us a glimmer of hope through examples of how we can come together to protect animals and ecosystems and make our planet thrive.
2. Mission Blue (2014)
Another Emmy award winner, Mission Blue is an incredible documentary narrated by oceanographer Silvia Earle and follows her campaign to save the world’s oceans from threats such as overfishing and toxic waste.
Earle has dedicated her life to saving the oceans and in this documentary she not only shows us a world we think we are familiar with but don’t really know; she also explains in very real terms the scarcity and threat our actions pose not only to the oceans and environment but to humans as well. Luckily she has also come up with a solution: “Hope Spots”, a network of marine sanctuaries that will protect our oceans.
Compelling, passionate and incredibly educating, you will feel ready for action after watching this.
3. War on plastic with Hugh and Anita (2019-2020)
This four-episode docuseries hits closer to home. That is because instead of taking place in underwater worlds or exotic jungles, it is filmed mainly in the hustle and bustle of the UK. Taking a regular street in east Bristol to find how much plastic is used, the docuseries takes you through a learning curve and opens your eyes to just how much plastic is being used and where it ends up.
While most of it takes place in the UK with Anita trying to change behaviour at home, Hugh embarks on a trip to Malaysia and beyond to find out how our recycling is processed (or not) and finds out how the local people’s health is suffering from plastic pollution. An eye opener when we are used to seeing is the impact in the natural world as opposed to our own streets.
Although the series finished in 2019, they did a follow-up episode in 2020 to see how things have changed a year on and how COVID-19 has affected plastic usage across the globe.
4. Extinction - the Facts (2020)
We’re not going to lie. This is an incredibly harsh documentary to watch but it is also very real and really hits home.
A heart-wrenching storyline that misses no punches and drives an emergency message: we need to do something to save the animals in the world, in order to also save ourselves. The shocking footage is both highly upsetting and emotional, delivering all the feels in an hour.
The facts are that what were once predictions about the future of our planet and life on Earth, are now realities. And the level of strain we are putting our planet, our natural habitats and our land through is unsustainable. We are causing not only the extinction of species (through habitat loss, overfishing, etc.) but also, by getting in closer contact with animals, causing the spread of viruses across different species. Meaning, at this rate, Covid-19 won’t be the last pandemic.
So how can we change this? We need to change our behaviour. In true Attenborough fashion it ends with a success story and a glimmer of hope: if countries and people act together we can have a better future.
5. Chasing Coral (2017)
This impassioned documentary follows teams of scientists, photographers and divers tracking the impact of climate change in our coral reefs, and documenting with incredible imagery the global bleaching of corals as sea temperatures rise.
Coral reefs have as much to give to humans as they do to their own ecosystem. From being the nurseries of the oceans and providing food and a livelihood for 1-2bn people on our planet, to even being sources of drugs that can help illnesses for cancer.
Driving the message that a healthy ocean means a healthy planet, the team works to show the world how much damage has been done and aim to raise awareness about coral reefs and what we can do to help.
6. Climate Change - the Facts (2019)
A no-fuss, hard pill of a documentary that aims to show the hard truths of climate change. From its impact in the natural world to the threat it poses to our own livelihoods and the effects we are seeing now.
A number of experts, scientists and activists from across the globe rally to show the extent and ways in which climate change is already affecting populations across the world, from wildfires to rising sea levels, coral bleaching and lack of food.
While it is a call to action for all of us to hear and follow, it also gives us glimmers of hope and more importantly solutions that we can enact now to start making a difference.
Read next >>>
