5 Essential Science and Nature Documentaries to Watch on Earth Day 2021

Celebrate our wonderful planet and rue the appalling way we treat it with these 5 must-watch documentaries…

22nd April 2021

22nd April 2021 marks the 51st Earth Day and with this year’s theme being “Restore Our Earth” we thought we’d pick 5 science and nature documentaries that highlight the plight of Mother Earth and the damage we’re doing to the environment and all of its inhabitants.

Make sure you check out at least one of these films; you’re guaranteed to learn something and it might just change your life.

#restoreourearth #climateliteracy #earthday2021

The Story of Plastic

Where does your plastic really come from?

Where does the plastic we use come from and what happens once we’re done with it? Director Deia Schlosberg’s 2019 film answers these questions and more, detailing the lifecycle of the plastic we use in the modern world. It’s a real eye-opener in the truest sense of the phrase, uncovering the major drivers behind our plastic use, the grim reality of how it’s disposed of and the very real effect it’s having on the environment.

If you’re not yet convinced that the world needs to considerably reduce its plastic consumption, The Story of Plastic is guaranteed to change your mind.

PS: The film’s score was created by none other than Pearl Jam’s lead guitarist Mike McCready. Pearl Jam’s debut album “Ten” featured on Snedds’ Top 20 Albums of All Time. Sure it’s a tenuous link but check out his review here, if you’re interested. Find out what else made the list here.

Extinction: The Facts

Attenborough lays it on the line

David Attenborough made a name for himself, exploring the planet and reporting on the wonders of the natural world. Over the years, his BBC documentaries have catalogued the world’s changing climate, the destruction of ecological habitats and the decline in animal populations worldwide. Much of this change is being caused and accelerated by our actions.

In this film, Attenborough lays it on the line, starkly describing exactly what will happen if we continue down the path we’re on and what we need to do now to halt cataclysmic changes to our environment. Extinction: The Facts is a terrifying watch but maybe that’s what we all need? A good scare as a catalyst for action.

Blackfish

Free Tilikum

Ever visited a SeaWorld or similar marine park where animals are trained to perform in front of audiences? Once you’ve seen Blackfish you won’t be going back.

This seminal documentary investigates the life of Tilikum, a killer whale responsible for the deaths of several of his trainers. By telling his story Blackfish uncovers the dark truths behind the sea park industry’s shroud of entertainment, including how the animals are captured, incarcerated and trained to perform regardless of the impact on their health and the safety of their trainers.

At times, Blackfish is difficult to watch and that’s down to the filmmaker’s unwavering quest for the truth, which is exactly what makes this such a compelling. shocking and affecting experience.

How To Change The World

The birth of Greenpeace

How To Change The World is the story of Greenpeace, chronicling the movement from its humble, guerilla origins to its establishment as the internationally renowned organisation that it is today.

Focussing on founder Rober Hunter and his part in organising a small group of protestors against the US government’s nuclear testing programme in Alaska, the film makes extensive use of archive footage not seen for over four decades.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and romanticism of the time but How To Change The World film makes a point of demonstrating that it wasn’t all fun and games by choosing not to censor some graphic and distressing scenes of cruelty.

An inspiring film providing proof that the little guy can make a big difference.

Sexy Killers

Mining has never been so sexy

The name Sexy Killers doesn’t immediately bring to mind the effects of the coal mining industry on Indonesia but the name points to the collusion between the countries' politicians and leaders in the fossil fuel industry, a partnership designed to make money… and money is always sexy…

Sexy Killers became an overnight sensation after being uploaded to YouTube and made waves throughout Indonesia ahead of the 2019 general election. It exposes the ties between both presidential candidates, the fossil fuel companies and the devastating environmental and social impacts of the coal mining industry.

The film is a powerful expose of the role of the elite in promoting and continuing the exploitation of fossil fuels, an industry that remains profitable despite the costs to our future.

We hope you enjoy some of the films on the list and hope they inspire you this Earth Day. To find out more go to: https://www.earthday.org/