Ten environmental programs you can watch on Netflix this Earth Week

April 21, 2020| Environment

By:  Melanie Wedemeier

This April 22 will mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. As a part of a countdown to the big day, we will be posting some tips, projects, and resources all centered around the environment.

Looking to relax and learn at the same time? This post focuses on 10 environmental movies and shows you can watch on Netflix right now. So fire up your Netflix and settle in for some thought-provoking environmental programming this Earth Week. 

1. Chasing Coral

Who knew learning about coral could be a tear-jerker (well for me at least)? As coral is dying at an unprecedented rate, researchers seek the last few living reefs, in a race against pollution and climate change. Packed with education and hope, this documentary makes it known that it’s thankfully, not too late for coral.

2. Disneynature Oceans

We all know water is important, but this documentary digs deeper into the cause-and-effect connection between humans, oceans, and the environment.

3. Disneynature Growing Up Wild

Through the eyes of five young animals around the world, the audience experiences what it’s like for these animals to grow up in their challenging environments, but not without the guidance of their loving families. This movie is a heartwarming tale of self-discovery and independence.

4. Our Planet

This eight-part series takes you to all corners of the world, exploring the depths of the oceans and the surface of the jungle canopies and how each of these ecosystems is impacted by climate change.

5. A Plastic Ocean

In this up-close and personal look of the nasty effects of single-use plastics on our oceans, the audience can almost feel what it’s like to swim in this plastic-soup consistency water. Luckily, this documentary also explores various solutions that are currently in the works.

6. Dancing with the Birds

From the team of Our Planet, this mini-documentary delves into the complex world of birds in paradise. Attracting a mate is much harder than it sounds, and as the narrator says, “in the world of dancing birds, it’s only the most charming that succeed.”

7. Poisoned Water

Not for the faint of heart, PBS details the dark tale of the Flint, Michigan water crisis that unfolded after officials changed the city’s water source in an attempt to save money. With interviews from Flint residents, this is an intimate take on how disastrous a water crisis really is.

8. National Parks Adventure

Take a virtual tour through our country’s most historic and inspiring national parks—you might find yourself planning your next big adventure!

9. Night on Earth

For the first time ever, technology is able to capture the world that awakens after the sun goes down in various parts of the Earth. From dark seas to moonlit plains, this six-part docuseries will dazzle you with stunning visuals and keep you on the edge of your seat.

10. Islands of the Future

During a time of climate change and decreasing resources of fossil fuels, several small islands off of Europe are forced to rethink how energy is collected and consumed.