Bee Sustainable: 5 must-watch sustainability documentaries
Written by Julia Gralki. Photo Courtesy of Charlotte Beck.
As finals near, you might want to fill your study break with educational documentaries (or watch them while working.) Here’s a selection of five environmental documentaries – be sure to be inspired!
“Chasing Coral (2017)“
Did you know that climate change causes coral reefs to die? If not, this is your cue to watch “Chasing Coral.”
When corals die due to heat stress, they turn white. Between 2014 and 2017, the documentary captured the most severe coral bleaching event in history, in which 75% of corals died. And the predictions are grim: If we don’t make changes, severe bleaching events will occur every year by 2034. By the end of the century, 90% of coral reefs could be dead.
This documentary follows scientists, photographers and divers on their quest of discovering why corals are dying faster than ever.
Where to watch: Netflix
“An Inconvenient Truth“
“An Inconvenient Truth” was released in 2006 and has since become a staple of must-watch sustainability documentaries.
Starring Al Gore, the documentary interweaves the former vice president’s commitment to fighting climate change with science. While “An Inconvenient Truth” is tailored to individuals who lack education about global warming, it is also a great documentary for those who want to broaden their knowledge about climate change.
“An Inconvenient Truth” is an audience favorite, as it presents dry facts in a humorous and emotional way. It leaves the audience inspired to make a change.
Where to watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime, YouTube
“The Story of Plastic”
Plastic pollution continues making headlines. But how did we even get to the point we are at right now? The Emmy-winning documentary “The Story of Plastic” traces the history of the current plastic pollution crisis, including the narrative influence of the oil and gas industry.
This documentary presents the heroes and villains in the story of plastic as it goes from environmental issues to fossil fuels to waste disposal to resistance movements. Instead of just showing the problem, this documentary presents solutions as well.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
“Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret“
You don’t have to be vegan to watch “Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret,” but it is definitely a must-watch if you want to become one.
The feature-length documentary follows the filmmaker Kip Andersen as he investigates wrongdoings in animal agriculture – and the world’s hesitancy to talk about it. Deforestation, pollution, water consumption, extinction, soil erosion, rainforest destruction: the list of environmental sins committed by the meat and dairy industry is long. But there is a reason why no one talks about it. And while Andersen uncovers the story, he is warned by industry whistleblowers and watchdogs that he is risking his personal freedom and life if he continues reporting about the issue.
Inspiring and eye-opening at the same time, “Cowspiracy” uncovers the devastating environmental impact of animal agriculture, but also presents solutions.
Where to watch: Netflix
“How to Change the World“
Over 50 years ago, a group of activists set out on a mission to stop Nixon’s atomic test bomb in Alaska. Forty years later, unseen archive footage emerged and led to the creation of one of the most inspiring environmental documentaries: “How to Change the World.”
At the center of the story is Bob Hunter, who we now know as the founder of Greenpeace. “How to Change the World” is a story about a group of a small group of activists attempting the unthinkable, but also a story about the origin of the largest environmental organization in the world.
If you’re craving inspiration, make sure to watch How to Change the World.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Sling TV, The Roku Channel
