April is considered Earth Month with Earth Day being on the weekend of April 20-22, 2021. On this day it's encouraged for people to do their part and protect Mother Earth and take action. From picking up trash in neighborhoods to planting trees, there are plenty of ways for people to give back for the betterment of the environment.
Another way to learn more about Earth and how the things humans do have an effect on it is to watch documentaries. Streaming services today are filled with award-winning documentaries that are enlightening and inspiring. From the safety of animals to protecting our seas, there are plenty of documentaries to learn from before Earth Day hits.
Seaspiracy (Netflix)
Seaspiracy is on everyone's minds recently after releasing in March of this year on Netflix. It shows the drastic effect fishing has on our oceans, aquatic life, and bodies. More than that, it shows the other side of overfishing: pollution and destruction.
Commercial fisheries are shown in a negative light, along with how many fishing nets and boating equipment are found in our oceans every day. Seaspiracy can be intimidating for viewers but it's an important watch. Viewers rated it 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Before The Flood (Disney+)
Before the Flood released in 2016 in a partnership with actor and environmentalist, Leonardo DiCaprio. The documentary originally aired on the National Geographic Channel but can now be viewed on Disney+.
The documentary takes a deep look at climate change and how we as humans can help our planet. It took three years to make as the cast and crew traveled around the world to see the damages done and if any of Earth's scars can be reversed. Before the Flood was nominated for the Documentary of the Year in 2016 and won.
I Am Greta (Hulu)
When environmentalist Greta Thunberg was 15, she was the face of her own documentary, I Am Greta. Greta is one of the youngest environmentalists in the world who is known for opening people's eyes and taking action against climate change.
Her documentary released in 2020 on Hulu and shows exactly how Greta gets things done as one of the most well-known teenagers in the world. The inspiring documentary won the Best Documentary Award at the Guldbagge Awards.
Kiss The Ground (Netflix)
Kiss the Ground was narrated by Woody Harrelson and had a variety of other Earth-loving celebrities take part in the project. Supermodel Gisele Bündchen, singer Jason Maraz, and actors Rosario Dawson and Patricia Arquette were all a part of the documentary.
The documentary shows an honest look at farming and how there's a solution called regenerative agriculture. Together, politicians, musicians, farmers, and more preach the benefits of regenerative agriculture and how it can help our ecosystems, water sources, and more. Viewers can watch the documentary on Netflix.
Honeyland (Prime Video)
Honeyland was a 2019 documentary that was initially supposed to be about the Macedonian river, Bregalnica, but quickly changed its focus after the crew met Hatidže Muratova. Muratova is a beekeeper who takes care of wild bees. Living in a remote community in the mountains, the bees and her elderly mother were all Muratova had.
The documentary dives into beekeeping and the effect climate change and other factors have on bees. The documentary takes a dramatic turn when a new family moves near Muratova and creates a competitive bee colony. The heartfelt documentary can be found on Prime Video and won multiple awards.
Our Planet (Netflix)
Our Planet released on Netflix in 2019 and looks at land conservation and how animals are adjusting to climate differences. The documentary was divided into eight episodes based on different parts of the world (jungles, oceans, forests, the arctic, etc...).
According to WWF, it took four years to develop as the large crew traveled to 50 different countries. The documentary was so beautiful and informational that it won two Emmy Awards.
How To Let Go Of The World And Love All The Things Climate Can't Change (HBO)
How To Let Go Of The World And Love All The Things Climate Can't Change is an older documentary (2016) but is an important watched nevertheless. Created by Josh Fox (who also created the iconic documentary Gasland), he travels to 12 different countries to explore changes in climate.
Along the way, he asks important questions that humans should be asking. Is it too late to reverse the damage that has been done? And what are other countries doing about climate change? The documentary was lauded with multiple awards and is still widely watched today. Viewers can stream it on HBO.
Rotten (Netflix)
Rotten dives into food and corruption. With two seasons, the Netflix documentary takes a deeper, darker look at food distribution in various parts of the world and how dangerous it can be.
But that's not all, the documentary also takes a look at how much food goes to waste and what the foods we eat do to our bodies. From avocados to milk to chocolate, it's an eye-opening look at how much humans take for granted when it comes to food.
Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution (Prime Video)
Filmmaker James Redford goes on a road trip around the US to take a look at what the country is doing to encourage renewable and clean energy. Massive companies like Walmart and Google want to be greener and encourage clean energy, which has created a ripple effect across the country (not to mention employing thousands of people).
Redford meets some of the country's heavy hitters, homemakers, and business owners to see how exactly they're making a difference but older forms of energy are still plaguing our world. To take a look at the movie, viewers can catch it on Prime Video.
Elephant (Disney+)
In 2020, Disney released its documentary, Elephant, on Disney+. Narrated by Meghan Markle, it's one of the many inspiring and successful documentaries under the Disneynature genre. The documentary follows a herd of elephants in Africa and their day-to-day migrational habits.
The herd was given names as followers watch them grow and protect each other as a family. The emotional coverage won Disney an award for Best Documentary at the CinEuphoria Awards.