By now we’re getting used to being alone. And by alone I mean that you might be completely solo in your home, or you might be within your family or housemate unit. But either way, it certainly means no physical IRL contact with the outside world. So many people are relying heavily on social media, YouTube, exploring new indoor hobbies or reading. Hopefully you found some gems in our reading list from last week. Do let us know! But we’re going to throw some viewing suggestions at you this week. Related to climate change and life (other than human) on our wondrous, spectacular Earth. Please don’t hesitate to comment below with your reviews or alternate ideas. We look to each other for continued inspiration!
So here goes our Top 10:
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, 2017
10 years after the original Al Gore film, An Inconvenient Truth, (a Davis Guggenheim directed Oscar winner) this is a revisitation of the politics and policies around the Climate Crisis. Well, at the time it was still called Global Warming and Climate Change. The documentary follows Al Gore on a journey to geographies struck by natural disaster, touching on Hurricane Sandy, Typhoon Haiyan, the Canadian wildfires and the Zika virus, as well as personal experiences and political meetings and briefs. It’s shot largely in a ‘fly-on-the-wall’ manner, but occasionally the Gore talks directly to camera. The aim is to humanize climate change and therein inspire action from the audience. Some believe it’s a little light on stats, but this is certainly compensated for in passion and dogged determination of Gore. I challenge you to not feel driven to help fight climate change after watching it.
Merchants of Doubt, 2015
What an enlightening and infuriating thing to watch! It’s important to see how money is spent to spin a story, and to understand the origins of this money. While we anticipate that you’re reading this from a position of understanding and acknowledgement when it comes to the reality of the climate crisis, this is still good viewing. And certainly something you could then recommend to anyone you know who, maybe naively, pedals any mistruths on climate science. It features 5 climate science deniers who’ve been especially successful in deceiving the public and blocking climate action. Well written, with some inserts of beautiful cinematography and ending on a strong optimistic tone, I recommend this. With a big fluffy cushion nearby to receive the occasional punch.
More than Honey, 2013
A lovely change of pace to the previous two, this is a gorgeous cinematic close up look at bees, in all their hard working beauty and glory (okay, with some frightening facts about their welfare). But mostly, it’s a celebration of bees! Extremely informative and just so well shot, you will certainly gain a new respect for this tiny super-organism. It checks in with honeybee keepers the world over to examine their techniques and garner their expert opinions.
A Plastic Ocean, 2017
Knowing that there’s a sea of plastic arriving into…well, the sea…every single day is no longer new news. But seeing it filmed as well as this, with glaringly obvious, truly awful impacts on the ocean and it’s creatures, is something else. This wasn’t the film that journalist Craig Leeson set out to make. He intended to show the beauty and grace of blue whales. But while filming a pod of them happened across a disturbing patch of plastic trash and oil. So the narrative changed. Now we have a beautifully shot (if sometimes horrific) spotlight on some of the shocking plastic related damage humans are doing to this planet. Craig films landfills, once-pristine lagoons, lots of marine life – some which will make you sad – and garners plenty of expert opinions, as he and the team travel the world over a four year period to bring attention to the plastic pollution problem. With equal part information and passion, you’ll be left feeling pretty determined to avoid plastic like it’s covered in COVID-19.
Blue Planet II, 2017-2018
This is a follow up to the extremely popular miniseries Blue Planet, from the BBC and Sir David Attenborough. Maybe the title gave it away? It’s very typically David Attenborough – incredible camera work and narration that flips between staccato-stats fired off at you and long, eloquent, descriptive paragraphs. It’s a visually spectacular series, with some heartbreaking realities of human’s impact on this waterworld. Most loudly, our plastic obsession and subsequent plastid trash. Attenborough’s is another voice in the fight against plastic pollution – but its not just another voice…it’s David Attenborough’s! The majesty of nature could surely not be underestimated by anyone after meeting the dancing yeti crabs (yes, you read that right). Watch and be moved to a new level of appreciation for marine eco-systems and action against plastic pollution.
2040, 2019
One of my fave film of the last few years, this is essentially an exceptionally professional vlog made by a film maker to his 4 year old daughter. Damon Gameau previously brought us into the reality of the damage sugar does to our health, and now, even more successfully, explores what climate change could mean for us all, in the year 2040. But he’s not talking about rising temperatures and torrential rains and unbearable air quality. Damon is approaching this subject from a refreshingly positive perspective. The rule he set himself was to only discuss ways in which we can address the issue which are already in existence, and see how they could help us, if given the appropriate funding, support and airtime. He communicated his message succinctly and clearly, with optimism. I implore you to watch this film, and then talk about this film and accept Damon’s invitation to “Join the REGENERATION”.
Before the Flood, 2017
Leonardo DiCaprio leads quite a cast (Barrack Obama, Pope Francis for starters) who are all equally gravely concerned about the state of the planet, and our continued denialism and refusal to act to mitigate climate change. He isn’t perhaps as charismatic as you’d imagine DiCaprio to be, but he’s passionate, eloquent, empathetic and keen to learn more about the topics and situations he explores. It follows just after he’s been designated the UN’s Messenger of Peace in 2014, and we have glimpses into conversations DiCaprio’s had with scientists, officials and locals in climate change ravaged geographies. It’s pitched for people who aren’t completely versed with what climate change is, the science behind it and the impacts it has in store for us, but it’s not patronising, and there are certainly still takeaways for people more comfortable with the issues.
Climate Change – The Facts, 2019
Sir David Attenborough was 92 when he filmed this one hour special. And I think it’s fair to say that perhaps he’s grown tired and frustrated with presenting us with hour upon hour of beautiful nature, hoping we’ll be awed enough to act to protect it all. So this time, he’s done with the niceties. It’s as close to angry as I imagine this gentleman ever getting – and I don’t want to see David Attenborough angry. A clearer call to action, I cannot fathom. And it’s not just because he tells us about the awful damage we’re causing, without pulling punches. It’s because he then throws a light on the deception that’s been pedalled to us for decades. Fossil fuel companies, and the deep deep pockets of their PR departments have intentionally worsened the state of climate change through their extremely successful campaign to silence or smear. David Attenborough and his team are hoping to leave you appalled and indignant with the actions of fossil fuels and the inaction of governments. You will feel sad by the devastating damage climate change is already bringing. And you will feel urged to act.
Life After People, 2008-2010
The narration to this History Channel 2-hour special and subsequent series begins with, “What would happen if every human on Earth disappeared? This isn’t the story of how we might vanish…it’s the story of what will happen to the world we leave behind.” And true to that intro, Life After People is no Walking Dead or Outbreak or “We blew it all to hell” moment à la Planet of the Apes. Just imagine, for a moment, we were suddenly, simply, not here. Humans have vanished from the Earth. POOF. And the reasons why are irrelevant for the purposes of this incredibly engaging thought experiment. Now, what happens to all of our stuff? Our buildings, our roads, our power plants, our shopping centers, even our pets… how and how long does it take for it all to return to a world that had never known the touch of human-kind?
The Game Changers
The Game Changers focuses on the journey of The Ultimate Fighter winner, James Wilks, who after an injury searches for an edge in his recovery. His research takes him down a path to a Vegan diet and explores a number of athletes throughout history (from Gladiators to modern day) who have had a predominantly plant based or vegan diet. A number of high profile athletes and celebrities are attached to the project which attempts to add more weight to the argument. Admittedly the narrative is biased towards veganism, and instead of suggesting the achievements are because of a plant based diet, they should be focusing on the achievements themselves while on a vegan diet. But the stories are amazing and hopefully inspire you to do your own research on the benefits of a vegan diet. Not only for our planet but your own health. But remember to focus on reliable and peer reviewed papers / resources, and weed out any sponsored research missing these. It is recommended to talk to a nutritionist before switching to a vegan diet.
And look, once again, I feel like an 11th is required. If Mother Nature had a relative it would be the irrefutable Godfather of Nature, Sir David Attenborough. And this is his most recent series presenting the incredible and awe-inspiring Earth. Please watch this one, and take stock of what this planet has to offer – not as a resource, but as pure, unadulterated amazing wonder and beauty.
Seven Worlds, One Planet, 2019
In this series each of Earth’s 7 continents is featured for nearly an hour. So it’s a close and sometimes surprising examination of the unique climate, terrain, and animal life on each. And of course, there’s the occasional message of how humans are ruining it, placing a great deal more importance on ourselves than these incredible creatures we share Earth with. It’s sometimes difficult to watch the harrowing challenges set by ferocious Mother Nature – you will cry. Your heart will be strained as you journey on an emotional rollercoaster, experiencing all the feels. It’s once again pure Attenborough/BBC genius in its storytelling and ability to elicit out-loud gasps and wows and oh my gods from the audience. Make sure you keep a hard or soft copy of this series – we may soon have only such things to recall the life which once inhabited this planet with us.
