Top Environmental Documentaries to Watch Before It’s Too Late

Deforestation, climate change, pollution, and even the extinction of wildlife are not issues that will be cropping up in the distant future, but are, in fact, today’s reality. The first step towards addressing these issues effectively starts with developing awareness around the topics, and watching documentaries is a great place to start. Inspiring people to make changes through education is something great documentaries are known for. Click Here to explore the best platforms for streaming impactful documentaries.

Environmental Documentaries That Will Open Your Eyes

Below, we present a combination of some of the most powerful and thought-provoking documentaries that, in fact, make an emotional impact and expose how different issues have great significance.  

1. Our Planet (2019)

Tackling the problems that every individual is concerned about, from the graphics elements to the actual animated graphics and even the documentary’s narration of David Attenborough, Our Planet has received humanity’s and nature’s boundless love. Our Planet not only brings flying visuals and astonishing facts regarding climate change and nature’s wonderful ability that helps change and heal, but offers global hope.

2. Before the Flood (2016)

The film is produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio. It describes his travels across five continents to witness climate change at its worst. Before the Flood breaks down interviews with world leaders to provide simplistic solutions to the climate catastrophe, telling people and governments alike where they must change the most.  

3. Chasing Ice (2012)

This is an award-winning documentary that shows a time-lapse of the planet’s glaciers through the years. It provides irrefutable proof of the alarming melting of Earth’s glaciers. Chasing Ice will go down as one of the most heartwarming yet heartbreaking documentaries of the republic over the past decade or so.  

4. The True Cost (2015)

It takes an entirely different approach by focusing on the fashion world. The True Cost makes fast fashion’s detrimental environmental and human impacts visible. Make their audience change their behavior and promote shopping for sustainable clothing instead.  

5. Seaspiracy (2021)

Literally translating to ‘marine conspiracy,’ this documentary covers all problems that the ocean faces, such as overfishing and pollution by plastic waste. It addresses repugnant lies that people are sold about consuming fish and calls for drastic change. The movie birthed international conversations and debates about policies across the globe.

6. An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth became one of the first climate change documentaries to make an impact in mainstream media. Although issued over a decade ago, the film’s message about individual actions makes a difference still rings true. 

7. Kiss the Ground (2020)

This documentary specifically focuses on regenerative farming as a plan to reduce climate change under inflation goals. As a whole, Kiss the Ground is empowering, revealing how enhancing dirt quality and soil health can reverse environmental damage and restore hope.

8. The Ivory Game (2016)

This investigative film showcases the illegal ivory trade, paying close attention to the role it plays in the extinction of elephants. Not only does The Ivory Game unveil the pooh bear criminals, it reveals the international chain of people who fuel the poaching trade. It’s a shocker for pet lovers and nature lovers.  

Why Watching These Documentaries Matters

Along with providing the facts, these supporting documentaries also offer emotional power that is necessary to motivate proactive steps regarding green issues. Seeing them can help understand the scale of eco-war issues adapt to daily affairs. For instance, change how one shops, eats, travels, or votes, and know that every little bit helps.

Final Thoughts

A countdown has begun. As we do our work, these Top Environmental Documentaries are an eye opener for us to remember how much we still need to do. Knowing is the first step, and by being informed, you are taking that step. Add them to your watchlist and urge others to join you. We can change things—if we act in time.