6 Eye-Opening Environmental Documentaries To Watch After Netflix's 'Seaspiracy'
These films will empower you to make conscious choices to help protect our planet.
For those who enjoy watching documentaries, you will probably have seen or at least heard of Seaspiracy, the hard-hitting Netflix Original film about the environmental impact of fishing. Produced by Kip Anderson (the filmmaker behind Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret) and directed by Ali Tabrizi, Seaspiracy unravels the alarming truths about the environmental destruction of our oceans and marine life caused by the actions of humankind. The film also exposes the practices of the global fishing industry and the lack of transparency behind sustainable fishing.
As we enter Earth Month and get closer to the annual Earth Day (April 22), we’ve compiled a list of other eye-opening films that will encourage you to make conscious efforts toward protecting our planet. Read on for six thought-provoking nature and ecology documentaries to watch after Seaspiracy.
A Plastic Ocean
The negative impact of plastic on the environment has been an ongoing issue for many years. A Plastic Ocean, directed by Australian journalist Craig Leeson, investigates the devastating effects of plastic pollution, especially on marine life.
Before the Flood
Before the Flood explores the alarming effects of climate change. Directed by Fisher Stevens and produced in collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio, James Packer, Brett Ratner, Trevor Davidoski and Jennifer Davisson Killoran, the film educates viewers about the cause behind rising sea levels, deforestation and other environmental concerns triggered by human actions.
Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret
Directed by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn, Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret touches upon the effects of animal agriculture on the environment and digs deep into environmental organizations’ policies on this matter. Additionally, the documentary captures an in-depth look into global warming, water use, deforestation and ocean dead zones.
Chasing Coral
Chasing Coral uncovers bleaching events that lead to the disappearance of coral reefs. The film was created by a collective of divers, scientists, renowned marine biologists and photographers who documented the fatal transformation beneath the ocean.
The Cove
Oscar-winning documentary The Cove follows former dolphin trainer and activist Ric O’Barry who recorded the dolphin hunting practices in Taiji, Wakayama, Japan. Parts of the film were documented in secret in 2007 showcasing the number of dolphins being killed in the Taiji dolphin drive hunt. According to the documentary, 23,000 dolphins and porpoises were killed in Japan every year.
The Ivory Game
Created by award-winning director Richard Ladkani and Academy Award-nominated director Kief Davidson, The Ivory Game exposes the corrupt global network of ivory trafficking. The duo went undercover for 16 months with a team comprised of intelligence operatives, undercover activists, frontline rangers and conservationists who worked together to get to the bottom of this unethical practice.
