Recommended Documentaries
“We can now destroy or we can cherish- the choice is ours.
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I am often asked why I was drawn to sustainability and how I stay inspired to keep up a low waste lifestyle.
I’ve always loved nature, but in a “ah pretty trees/ocean/animal you’re so cool” way. While looking for short you tube clips to inspire family members to recycle, my sister and I watched loads about climate change, plastic pollution and the numerous issues with recycling. By the end I was convinced that recycling wasn’t enough… that if I really cared about this awesome living planet, then I needed to get more involved.
I realised that great documentaries do more than educate, they tap into peoples’ empathy. Whenever I start to feel like I can’t make a difference, I watch a great documentary and remember how many incredible people there are caring for animals, plants and people and I feel inspired to do the same. Below is a few I’ve watched and loved, as well as a few on my watchlist.
Our Planet
I cannot express how exquisite Our Planet is. Sir David Attenborough narrates this Emmy award winning Netflix docu-series.
The habitats that make up our planet are connected and reliant upon each other. The astonishing diversity of life on earth depends on these global connections.
2040
If you fancy something uplifting & inspiring, this is it. Join director Damon Gameau as he embarks on a global journey to meet innovators and changemakers in the areas of economics, technology, civil society, agriculture, education and sustainability.
“This journey is the central premise for the documentary ‘2040’, a story of hope that looks at the very real possibility that humanity could reverse global warming and improve the lives of every living thing in the process. It is a positive vision of what ‘could be’, instead of the dystopian future we are so often presented.”
the biggest little farm
This movie is a new favourite of mine. Beautifully shot and a reminder that if we leave nature to do its thing, it all balances out perfectly.
“THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM chronicles the eight-year quest of John and Molly Chester as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland and a dream to harvest in harmony with nature.”
There are so many characters to love in this moving and inspirational true story. A poignant reminder of the importance of embracing and encouraging biodiversity. Let me know what you think after you’ve watched it.
Before the flood (2016)
This documentary covers so much ground geographically, in the diversity of persons interviewed and in terms of the information shared. Leonardo Di Caprio visits five continents to gain a deeper understanding of climate change and its impact on the world (NB. carbon emissions from Before The Flood were offset through a voluntary carbon tax) so we are able to hear from an incredible range of scientists, politicians and individuals in places already being affected by climate change such as India and the Kiribati and Palau Islands.
“…Before the Flood presents a riveting account of the dramatic changes now occurring around the world due to climate change, as well as the actions we as individuals and as a society can take to prevent the disruption of life on our planet.”
I so appreciate that it doesn’t just share solutions that could be implemented by governments, it shares how changes in our lifestyles can have a positive impact. A must watch.
Cowspiracy (2014)
I used to be nervous of watching anything meat related for fear of seeing horrific scenes in abattoirs, but this isn’t that sort of documentary. It’s more focused on the huge negative impact that animal agriculture has on the environment and how much money is tied into keeping things as they are.
“This groundbreaking documentary follows filmmaker Kip Andersen as he uncovers the most destructive industry facing the planet today and investigates why the world’s leading environmental organisations refuse to tackle it.”
As is the case with fossil fuels, it seems like a few key players hold the cards. We hear from government organisations, farmers (both free range and industrial scale), environmental organisations and researchers. An eye opening, thought provoking film.
A Plastic Ocean
Craig Leeson travels with Tanya Streeter across the globe to report on the havoc caused by years upon years of plastic use, particularly on marine life.
A Plastic Ocean documents the global effects of plastic pollution and highlights workable technologies and innovative solutions that everyone - from governments to individuals - can do, to create a cleaner and greener ocean.
Carnage – Swallowing the Past (2017)
Simon Amstell’s mockumentary is somehow both hilarious and poignant at once. Part real events, part fiction, Carnage takes the viewer from 1944 (the foundation of the Vegan Society) to 50 years in the future, the UK is a paradise where humans and animals live in harmony.
“I have written and directed a film about veganism. I’m sorry.”
— Simon Amstell
The True Cost (2015)
“The price of clothing has been decreasing for decades, while the human and environmental costs have grown dramatically. The True Cost is a groundbreaking documentary film that pulls back the curtain on the untold story and asks us to consider, who really pays the price for our clothing?”
Planet Earth 1 & 2
BBC’s David Attenborough’s two docu-series celebrate the incredible variety and beauty of the natural world. These two really are classics. Flashback to many chats at work the morning after each episode was released about the epic scenes in Planet Earth 2.
“Looking down on this great metropolis, the ingenuity with which we continue to reshape our planet is very striking. It’s also sobering. It reminds me of just how easy it is for us to lose our connection with the natural world. Yet it is on this connection that the future of both humanity and the natural world will depend.”
— Sir David Attenborough From BBC TV series Planet Earth II.
Trashed
Actor Jeremy Irons takes viewers to landfills and trash dumps in beautiful locations around world to show the devastating effects of pollution.
“There is a clear feeling from a growing number of people that the time has come for us all to start to try and change our ways, and to endeavour to live a more careful life.”
— Jeremy Irons
The Story of Stuff
This is garbage activist Annie Leonard’s 21-minute animated documentary short about the things we use and throw away, how it’s produced and what the impacts are of our addiction to stuff.
“We depend on this planet to eat, drink, breathe, and live. Figuring out how to keep our life support system running needs to be our number-one priority. Nothing is more important than finding a way to live together - justly, respectfully, sustainably, joyfully - on the only planet we can call home.”
— Annie Leonard
The Clean Bin Project
I haven’t seen this one yet, but it looks so relatable and comes highly recommended for anyone trying to cut down on the amount of waste they produce.
“…partners Jen and Grant go head to head in a competition to see who can swear off consumerism and produce the least garbage Their light-hearted competition is set against a darker examination of the problem waste.”
Just Eat It!
Approximately 50% of all produce in the United States is thrown away—some 60 million tons (or $160 billion) worth of produce annually! This one is also on the watchlist and food waste is a huge issue that we all need to be more aware of. Choose wonky veg!
“Filmmakers and food lovers Jen and Grant dive into the issue of waste from farm, through retail, all the way to the back of their own fridge. After catching a glimpse of the billions of dollars of good food that is tossed each year in North America, they pledge to quit grocery shopping cold turkey and survive only on foods that would otherwise be thrown away.”