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Nature’s Narratives: Movies About Environmental Issues

In a world grappling with the ever-growing concerns of climate change, pollution, and resource depletion, the power of these films emerges as an eye-opener in raising awareness and sparking conversations about environmental issues. These movies about environmental issues do not only entertain but also encourage us to reflect on our role in preserving the Earth for future generations.

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Movies About Environmental Issues

Environmental issues are challenges that affect the natural world and the delicate balance of our planet. They include things like climate change, pollution of our air and water, habitat destruction, and the loss of biodiversity. These issues are critical to address because they impact not only the environment but also our own health and the well-being of future generations.

Check out some of the eye-opening movies about environmental issues we've gathered just for you:

Climate of Doubt
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • John Hockenberry (Actor)

Climate of Doubt

John Hockenberry, a correspondent for PRI's The Takeaway, delves into the entities that challenged the scientific community, environmental organizations, and legislators in order to reshape the discourse on climate concerns and reshape the landscape of global warming politics.

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Sustainable

An essential examination of the instability in America's food system, addressing agricultural challenges such as soil erosion, water scarcity, climate change, and pesticide usage. It also spotlights a community of dedicated leaders striving to rectify these issues.

Living the Change
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Charles Eisenstein, Helen Dew (Actors)

Living the Change: Inspiring Stories for a Sustainable Future

Living the Change delves into solutions for the current global crises by sharing inspiring tales of individuals who are leading change in their personal lives and communities. Their aim is to adopt a sustainable and regenerative lifestyle.

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Al Gore (Actor)

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power

A decade after the influential documentary An Inconvenient Truth raised awareness about climate change, this compelling sequel reveals that although the challenges have become more pressing, the answers to the climate crisis remain accessible to us.

Climate Crisis: Extinction
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Greta Thunberg, Sir David Attenborough (Actors)

Climate Crisis: Extinction

The rate of extinction is now outpacing even that of the dinosaurs. Natural decline is occurring worldwide at an unprecedented pace in human history.

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Human activities are causing catastrophic wildlife loss, putting our planet and countless species in jeopardy.

Time to Choose
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Oscar Issac, Steven Chu, James Hansen (Actors)

Time to Choose

Charles Ferguson, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind works like Inside Job and No End in Sight, shifts his focus to the global issue of climate change, exploring both the challenges and solutions in his documentary Time To Choose.

The film features narration by the acclaimed actor Oscar Isaac.

A Plastic Ocean
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Craig Leeson, Tanya Streeter (Actors)

A Plastic Ocean

This film embarks on a grand worldwide journey with a filmmaker and a world-record free-diver, as they explore the alarming consequences of plastic pollution in our oceans and its impact on marine life.

a picture of a globe with caption "environmental issues"

From the Ashes
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Carl Pope, Michael Oppenheimer, Duane Ankney (Actors)

From the Ashes

This documentary delves into the stories of individuals in various American communities grappling with the coal industry's legacy and its uncertain future.

It goes beyond the surface-level “war on coal” narrative to present poignant and sometimes heart-wrenching accounts of the economic, health, and environmental consequences at play, spanning regions from Appalachia to the Powder River Basin.

Inside the Garbage of the World
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Ed Smyth (Actor)

Inside the Garbage of the World

The movie dispels the notion of a plastic island adrift in the Pacific Ocean and reveals an even grimmer reality.

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We stand on the brink of a looming catastrophe unless we take immediate action.

a netflix cover of a movie entitled "seaspiracy"

Seaspiracy

Driven by a deep passion for marine life, a filmmaker embarks on a journey to capture the damage humans inflict on sea creatures, unveiling troubling instances of worldwide corruption in the process. | Stream on Netflix

a netflix cover of a movie entitled "breaking boundaries: the science of our planet"

Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet

David Attenborough and scientist Johan Rockstrom investigate the decline in Earth's biodiversity and explore potential solutions to avert this crisis. | Stream on Netflix

a netflix cover of a movie entitled "chasing coral"

Chasing Coral

Divers, scientists, and photographers from across the globe launch a monumental underwater initiative to capture the vanishing coral reefs. | Stream on Netflix

The Human Element
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • James Balog (Actor)

The Human Element

The Human Element, marked by uncommon empathy, accompanies environmental photographer James Balog as he showcases Americans at the forefront of climate change, urging us to reconsider our connection with the environment.
 
Before the Flood
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Clinton, John Kerry (Actors)

Before the Flood

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and helmed by Fisher Stevens, Before the Flood delivers a gripping narrative of the profound global transformations brought about by climate change.

If you enjoyed this list of movies, I have a monthly membership for parents and educators that want to teach or supplement lessons with shows and movies.

“Movie nights in our household are more than just entertainment; they're a chance to open up conversations about the planet we call home. Whether it's documentaries on climate change or animated adventures highlighting the importance of conservation, these films are my go-to tool for teaching my kids about environmental issues. It's like pressing play on a lesson about our responsibility to protect the Earth, and seeing them absorb those messages makes movie nights feel like a small step towards raising eco-warriors.” –a Homeschooling parent

With Homeschooling with Shows and Movies membership, you will get resources every month, including:

  • List of This Month’s Suggested Themes
  • List of Monthly Observances
  • List Of Movies for Unit Study
  • Unit Study Resource
  • Seasonal Activities (minimum of three)
  • (BONUSES) Resources for you, the teacher

These resources are worth it if you'd like to easily incorporate shows and movies into your homeschooling.

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What to expect in these movies about environmental issues?

In these movies about environmental issues, you can expect a deep dive into the challenges our planet faces. They often explore the impact of human activities on the environment, from climate change to pollution, habitat destruction, and more.

These films aim to raise awareness, inspire change, and offer potential solutions to safeguard our planet's future.

Which subjects are included in studying environmental issues in an elementary school setting?

Studying environmental issues in an elementary school setting typically covers a range of subjects to help students understand the importance of protecting the environment. These subjects may include:

  1. Climate Change: Explaining the concept of climate change and its impact on the planet.
  2. Conservation: Teaching about the importance of conserving resources like water, energy, and wildlife.
  3. Pollution: Discussing various types of pollution, such as air and water pollution, and their consequences.
  4. Recycling: Educating students about the benefits of recycling and how to do it.
  5. Biodiversity: Introducing the concept of biodiversity and the importance of preserving different species.
  6. Habitat and Ecosystems: Exploring different habitats and ecosystems and the role they play in environmental balance.
  7. Renewable Energy: Discussing renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
  8. Sustainability: Teaching the principles of sustainable living and how it benefits the environment.
  9. Environmental Activism: Introducing students to environmental activists and their efforts to protect the planet.
  10. Conservation Practices: Encouraging students to practice environmentally friendly habits in their daily lives.

What themes are found in movies about environmental issues?

Movies about environmental issues often revolve around several key themes. One common theme is Awareness, as these films aim to educate viewers about pressing environmental challenges. They also emphasize Urgency, highlighting the need for immediate action to address issues like climate change and pollution. Another prevalent theme is Hope, offering solutions and inspiring viewers to make positive changes to protect our planet.

Related Questions:

How does recycling benefit the environment?

When we recycle, we reduce the need to extract and process new raw materials, which saves energy and reduces pollution. It also helps cut down on the amount of waste in landfills, giving our planet a breather.

So, recycling not only conserves resources but also keeps our air and water cleaner, making it a win-win for both us and the environment.

What is climate change, and how does it happen?

Climate change is like Earth's way of telling us it's not happy with our actions. It happens when there's an excess of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, causing our planet to warm up, leading to things like melting ice caps, more extreme weather, and rising sea levels.

It's essentially a big warning sign that we need to reduce our carbon footprint and take better care of the environment to prevent further damage.

What is the Paris Agreement, and why is it important in addressing climate change?

The Paris Agreement is like a global handshake to tackle climate change. It's a pact signed by almost every country in the world to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It's essential because it unites nations in a common goal, emphasizing that we all need to work together to combat climate change and protect our planet for future generations.

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