5 Documentaries To Learn More About Sustainability
5 Documentaries To Learn More About Sustainability
Imagine learning new things and being entertained, both at the same time? Documentaries have the power to combine them, so we selected 5 documentaries about social and environmental sustainability for you. They address global themes such as food, waste management, fashion and consumption, water crisis, and climate change.
However, what is sustainability? This movie list will give you an overview of the subject, with abundant information and details, in an engaging and accessible way. Spoiler: They are all available on streaming services right now!
1. FOOD CHOICES - 2018
IMAGE
Food Choices is a documentary about dietary habits without condemning people whose diet still includes meat. It invites us to reflect on how our dietary choices impact our health and the environment.
“What is the best diet for the human species?”. If you also don’t know the answer, don’t worry; this is the main question in “Food Choices”, directed by Michal Siewierski. Doctors, specialists, and researchers reveal the secrets of the food industry based on data and information.
There’s the question: is it possible to live with a plant-based diet? Watch it and tell us what you think!
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime – Running time: 1 hour 31 min
2. WASTE LAND - 2010
IMAGE COURTESY OF DOWNTOWN FILMES
Waste Land is a Brazilian documentary film that takes place in Latin America’s largest landfill up to 2012, Jardim Gramacho, in Rio de Janeiro. It shows the lives of people who work there making a living from recyclable material, and Vik Muniz, an artist who creates his pieces from those same materials, as he collaborates with the group. It also focuses on social sustainability, addressing the problems with residue management and the impact of waste in polluting the soil, water, and air, besides discussing the emission of greenhouse effect gases.
The movie premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 83rd Academy Awards. If you enjoy this motif, check another Brazilian documentary shot in the same place, Estamina (2004). It tells the story of a 63-year-old woman with psychological disorders who works in the landfill. It’s worth watching!
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime (rental) – Running time: 1 hour 39 min
3. SEASPIRACY - 2021
IMAGE COURTESY OF NETFLIX
We know the Ocean covers the largest area on planet Earth. However, do we know everything that transpires in it? The documentary Seaspiracy, which caused a social media frenzy, brings to light the gravity of what is happening out there.
We’re talking about tons of fishing nets discarded in the sea, the so-called ghost nets, excessive fishing, and extreme pollution. And as incredible as it sounds, 47% of the plastic found in the English Channel, between England and Europe, is composed of fragments of fishing nets.
And the most impacted are the marine animals, who represent a large part of all life on our planet. Not to mention that whales and dolphins help absorb more carbon dioxide than the Amazon forest and, through phytoplanktons, help generate more than 80% of the oxygen we breathe.
Reading it made you more curious about the oceans? Dive into this topic with the movie!
Where to watch it: Netflix – Running time: 1 hour 30 min
4. BRAVE BLUE WORLD - 2020
IMAGE COURTESY OF NETFLIX
This documentary is centered around an environmental problem that has been a common theme in many apocalyptic movies: the water crisis. Brave Blue World shows possible solutions all over the world to help manage fresh water in sustainable ways. And it’s not just about water consumption resources, but about sanitation services and energy generation too.
It’s an inspiring film where the main character is an indispensable resource for our survival: water. It also features celebrities and activists such as Matt Damon, Liam Neeson, and Jaden Smith.
And if this topic made you interested in learning about water footprint, click here and calculate yours.
Where to watch it: Netflix – Running time: 50 min
5. OUR PLANET - 2019
IMAGE COURTESY OF NETFLIX
Lastly, a documentary streaming show that reveals the beauty of where we live: Our Planet. It displays incredible images of nature and animals in their natural habitat. Additionally, it exposes how climate change can impact everyone’s lives. It works as a reminder that there is still time to start taking more sustainable everyday measures, like using less plastic. Watching all life forms on the planet and not reflecting on what is at stake is impossible.
The good news: the first season has 8 episodes, and a second season with 4 episodes was just released. So it can be your “comfort TV show” for a few good days.
Where to watch it: Netflix – Running time: about 50 minutes (per episode)
BONUS TIP: If you liked our suggestions so far and hope to keep binge-watching, we have one more documentary on sustainability for you.
6. KISS THE GROUND - 2020
IMAGE COURTESY OF NETFLIX
Kiss the Ground shows how the cultivation and use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on the soil cause damage to an entire ecosystem. The impacts are seen on the environment’s health and climate, desertification, water scarcity, melting glaciers, and biodiversity loss, among other negative effects. However, don’t fool yourself; this doc is not just made up of problems. It also focuses on solutions, such as regenerative agriculture, an ethical practice projected to restore degraded soil and easy CO2 neutralization. Woody Harrelson is the narrator, and Gisele Bundchen is an executive producer.
Kiss the Ground makes us believe that the solution for most of these problems is right here, under our feet, on how we treat our soil.
Where to watch it: Netflix – Running time: 1 hour 24 min
You can calculate your carbon footprint as well; just click here and find out your individual impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Oh, and if you have questions about the difference between natural, organic, and vegan raw materials, we’ve discussed this here.
CONCLUSION
It’s always valuable to comprehend what is happening in our home, planet Earth. That’s why we find this list of documentaries on sustainability so relevant. Perfect for expanding your repertoire and staying in the loop.
The problems exist, but it warms our hearts to know that people like us at Simple are engaged and working to change the world.
Leaving a positive legacy for the next generation is our motto, and you are part of this. ❤️