Top 10 Environmental documentaries you need to watch in 2021

It won’t come as a surprise to many of you that I enjoy learning about the environment. I also love watching a good documentary when I have some downtime. It both kills time and educates me, that can only be a good thing right?

If you also love watching documentaries and are eager to learn more about the environment, how our actions impact it and the changes we need to implement then this is my top 10 go to list to get you started.

Top 10 Environmental Documentaries.

David Attenborough, A life on our planet (Netflix)

If you haven’t heard of David Attenborough then I am not even sure we live on the same planet to be fair. This documentary shows us what he has learned in his career and how he sees our future going if we do not change. There is hope though, he talks us through options that can change the course we are currently on.

Minimalisim (Netflix)

I watched this a few years ago and found a real love for The Minimalists. The documentary is based on how these 2 men through different life experiences end up giving up almost everything they own to live with less. It will teach you a bit about why we feel the need to own so much and how it might feel to live with less. They also have a podcast that i highly suggest checking out. (Also as from January 1st 2021 their new documentary “Less is NOW” will also be on Netflix)

Before the Flood (Netflix)

You may recognise the voice on this one. Good old Leonardo DiCaprio presents this National Geographic documentary that shows how various countries are being impacted by global warming. It also touches on the problem of climate deniers.

Down to Earth with Zac Efron (Netflix)

This isn’t one documentary, it is actually a series of 10. Zac Efron and Darin Olien travel the world looking for the healthy and sustainable ways to live and boy do they find some amazing things! Hands down made me want to relocate to another country 3 or 4 times while watching their show.

The True Cost (Amazon Prime)

This one looks at fast fashion and the impacts on the environment and the people involved in the production of our clothes. While clothing may seem cheap to you on the surface you can be sure somebody is paying the price somewhere.

Stacey Dooley Investigates – Fashions Dirty Secrets (BBC iPlayer)

This documentary literally changed how I live my life and how I look at fashion. I watched this in 2018 and decided 2019 was the year I would give up new clothes. I included the 3 kids in that change and although we have bought some new clothes in 2020 we always opt for second hand first.

Kiss the Ground (Netflix)

This is the most recent one I watched. I learned so many things I hadn’t known before and it really does leave you feeling inspired that there is credible hope to save areas that are turning to dust before our eyes. Plus Woody Harrelson narrates so that always makes me happy.

The Story of Stuff (YouTube)

This documentary is super short but it packs a punch. Here we look at “stuff” why we buy it and who it really benefits (clue – not really us). It promotes more sustainable ideas for living.

There’s Something in the Water (Netflix)

This documentary highlights environmental racism. Directed by Elliot Page, this documentary focuses on the struggle of minority communities in Nova Scotia as they fight officials over the lethal effects of industrial waste.

Planet of the Humans (YouTube)

I don’t advise you watch this on a down day. It isn’t a very hopeful movie but it challenges us to see the flaws in green washing of the environmental movement. Are green energy choices really as green as they look? Not really it seems.

Bonus watch:

Dark Waters (Amazon Prime)

This is technically a movie but it is based on real life events and you can read about the case. Hands down baffled me how I had never heard of this case against DuPont and how I OWN products coated in Teflon just like those in the movie.