Unless you’re living under a rock, you’d be aware of the ongoing climate crisis that has plagued the Earth for several years now. To put it bluntly, our future on the planet is at stake. Every day we come across reports highlighting rising pollution in oceans, melting of ice caps, and extinction of species, which is enough to send chills down our spines. But do we care enough to wonder how to help retain our planet to its former glory?
Well, some of us do. And it’s this breed of humans who often adopt measures like saving water, avoiding plastic, and opting for sustainable clothes. But the fact is that there’s still a lot to be done by each one of us.
Unsplash | These five environment documentaries will open your eyes to the effect humans have on the Earth
Keeping that in mind, maybe it’s time for you to consider entering the world of environmental activism. Of course, we’re not going to push you into it, but we can at least give you a head start with this curated list of the top environment documentaries!
The Year Earth Changed
Directed by Tom Beard and narrated by David Attenborough, The Year Earth Changed shows how nature bounced back to its original state while the world was under lockdown following 2019’s global pandemic. It features rare footage of the harmonization of skies, lands, and seas and gives a glimpse of how a slight change in human behavior can help restore nature.
The Swim
While you may have heard about long-distance swimmers, have you ever seen them in action? If not, The Swim is a must-watch for you. The documentary filmed by Seeker shows long-distance swimmer Ben Lecomte’s attempt to spread awareness about the effects of humans on oceans. In 2018, Lecomte swam 5700 miles across the Pacific Ocean to prove his point about plastic pollution. During the six-month-long journey, he and his crew faced numerous challenges like typhoons, sharks, equipment failure, and lots of plastic waste.
Unsplash | Documentaries like “The Swim” draw viewer attention towards the plastic pollution in the oceans
Saving My Tomorrow
Released in 2014, Saving My Tomorrow is a new approach to the climate crisis. The six-part series highlights interviews and self-written songs by children expressing their worries and desires over Mother Earth’s future. It gives a powerful message to the current generation that if the climate crisis is not dealt with properly, it can jeopardize future generations.
Chasing Coral
Coral reefs are the heart and souls of the oceans. They’re home to more than a quarter of all marine life and are the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. However, in recent years, coral reefs have vanished at an unprecedented rate, causing numerous problems to underwater life. Through this 2017 documentary, a team of divers, photographers, and scientists try to find the reason behind the disappearance of coral reefs.
A Perfect Planet
A Perfect Planet is a 2021 five-part series filmed over four years in 31 different countries. Narrated by David Attenborough, it shows how diverse forces of nature (the sun, weather, volcanoes, oceans, and humans) impact the environment.
Read – What each of us can do to save the planet
Unsplash | “A Perfect Planet” shows how diverse forces of nature, like volcanoes, impact the environment
Wrapping it up
Nowadays, it doesn’t matter which environmental issue you chase; what matters is that you open your eyes and accept that there are issues. As long as we raise our voices for genuine problems, our climate has a scope of restoring faster. So, get up and speak because even the smallest of actions can make a big difference in saving the environment.
