“If people keep doing what they are doing now, the world won't be a very good place.” Damon Gameau (2040 writer and director)
Documentaries have become one of the hottest genres in recent years, often scoring in the top 10 lists on platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. They help preserve the most beautiful moments of our beloved Earth. This naturalistic medium helps capture moments one might not have even known to exist if there wasn’t any evidence. It’s always breathtaking to see flowers bloom, animals in their natural habitat, and butterflies in the springtime on camera.
But, what would happen if we weren’t able to see these marvelous creations the world presents to us? And not just by a camera? What if we continue to lose our most valuable treasures?
Documentaries not only capture the most magnificent aspects of the world but also the most ominous—especially the harm that is done by humans. The negative impacts of climate change increase faster than scientists can keep up, causing more alarm than what scientists originally thought decades ago. That’s why we desperately need our friends, family members, and audiences across the globe to watch climate change documentaries, now more than ever before. They inspire change.
Thankfully, the documentary genre is on the rise. See below:
“Documentaries were the fastest-growing genre on streaming last year, as more news companies leaned into licensing deals with streamers around current events.”
Sara Fischer, author of Axios Media Trends
Don’t know where to begin? Start with this list of some of the highest-rated, must-watch documentaries to expand your knowledge of climate change and how it affects every aspect of our nature.
2040 (2019)
Filmmaker Damon Gameau travels all over the world in search of new solutions to climate change.
Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2014)
Learn how factory farming is ravaging the planet's natural resources and why this crisis has been ignored by major environmental activists.
Chasing Coral (2017)
Divers, photographers, and scientists discover why coral reefs around the world are disappearing.
Climate Refugees (2010)
Explore the global human impact of climate change and its effect on international politics.
Chasing Ice (2012)
James Balog and his environmentalist team construct a multi-year record of the planet's rapidly melting glaciers.
One Word (2020)
Discover how climate change and rising sea levels threaten the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Planet of the Humans (2020)
This eye-opening, argumentative documentary explains how capitalism causes harm to humans and the planet.
Extinction: The Facts (2021)
natural historian David Attenborough explores the science of extinction and the consequences of climate change—all caused by human activity.
Reef Rescue (2020)
Discover the groundbreaking science behind "super corals" and a fascinating new plan to save the damaged coral reefs.
Power Paths - Native Americans Fight For Green Power (2008)
Watch this inspiring documentary about how Native American communities are leading the transition to alternative energy sources.
Bonus: Watch INHABITANTS: Indigenous Perspectives On Restoring Our World (2022) on Vimeo, available on November 15, 2022.
Valerie Nichole Romanello for iGEMS