The Greenwolder community is all about making the world a better place. However, one of our main goals is to educate the wider community on what sustainability is and why is it so important.
So, we collected five must-watch documentaries to get you caring for the environment!
But before we get started, what is sustainability?
In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as being the goal to meet the needs of the present without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Nearly 30 years later, the definition of sustainability stays the same.
According to the United Nations (UN), today, there are around 140 developing countries aiming to meet their development needs. However, the continued threat of a climate crisis continues to remind us that it is imperative to take tangible measures to ensure that present-day progress does not go to waste in the future.
In general, sustainability involves a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy, protecting biodiversity, conserving natural resources and adopting responsible practices in areas such as agriculture, transportation and manufacturing.
It also involves fostering social and economic equity, promoting access to education and healthcare, and supporting communities that are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and other environmental challenges. Ultimately, sustainability is about creating a world in which the people, the planet and the prosperity are all in balance, and in which everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
So, here are the top five sustainability documentaries we think are worth a watch to help you understand sustainability better.
1 - Chasing Coral
Chasing Corals is an award-winning 2017 documentary film that follows a team of underwater photographers, divers and scientists as they travel the world and document the disappearance of coral reefs. The documentary was filmed in the span of 3.5 years and features 500 hours of underwater footage as well as submissions from over 30 countries.
“This story is bigger than coral reefs, it’s about the collapse of an entire ecosystem and the role we all play in taking action while there is still time. That is why I’m thrilled to see people connecting the film to the local environmental changes people are facing and the local solutions we can start accelerating today,” the director, Jeff Orlowski said.
Where to watch?
- NETFLIX
2 - A Plastic Ocean
Another award-winning documentary, A Plastic Ocean documents the side effects of our disposable lifestyle and highlights the aftermath of plastic pollution. In addition, the film talks about all things governments and individuals can do to create a cleaner and greener ocean.
Where to watch?
- Peacock TV
- Watch Documentaries
3 - Wasted: the story of food waste
Did you ever think about what happens to your leftovers once they go down the trash?
According to this documentary, food production is one of the biggest causes of deforestation, water extraction and biodiversity loss. Through the eyes of famous chefs, the documentary shows what people can do with their leftovers to create an overall more secure food system.
Where to watch?
- HULU
4 - Minimalism
How can you live life by consuming less?
Minimalism is a documentary that explores what life can look like if people consume less. It delves into the lifestyles of a number of minimalists including families, entrepreneurs, architects, journalists and scientists who are trying to live life with less.
Where to watch?
- Apple TV
5 - Our Planet
This Netflix-produced documentary is a winner of two Emmy awards and explores the after-effects of climate change on some of the most unique species and their habitats. The documentary was produced in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Silverback Films to make sure it highlighted “the Earth’s most pressing challenges”.
Where to watch?
- NETFLIX
