11 Earth-loving documentaries to watch this Summer

11 Earth-loving documentaries to watch this Summer

Need something to binge watch over the holiday season? Settle in and get inspired by stories of Pasifika climate activists, fire up and learn more about climate action, or just revel in the beauty of Mother Nature.

Quickly jump to the documentaries on:

Pacific Climate Justice

Climate Action

Nature

Documentaries about Pacific Climate Justice

Journey For Justice

Journey For Justice follows law student and activist Anjali Sharma as she travels across the Pacific on Greenpeace’s iconic ship, the Rainbow Warrior, to hear from those most impacted by climate change. The documentary showcases how powerful activists across the globe are using the law to hold big polluters to account.

The Forgotten Pacific

Guided by the wisdom and passion of Pacific climate leader Suluafi Brianna Fruean, this documentary captures the vibrant lives of people living in Fiji, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Samoa, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Each island speaks to us with its own story of struggle and resilience, yet all are united by an unwavering spirit of hope and survival.

Anote’s Ark

Kiribati is a nation with over 4,000 years of history, but rising sea levels are putting the future of this Pacific culture at risk.

Anote’s Ark tells the story of Kiribati resilience and resistance, and follows President Anote Tong as he fights for his country’s survival.

Vai

Follow the journey of Vai across the waters of Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Kuki Airani (Cook Islands), Samoa, Niue and Aotearoa (New Zealand)

In each of these Pacific nations, Vai means “water”, and she is portrayed by a different indigenous actress in every island home.

YUMI – The Whole World

YUMI embodies the power of solidarity in the fight for justice in the face of climate change.

Follow Solomon, Vishal and Romabeth as they embark on a journey from university classrooms to high-stakes negotiations with ministers, ambassadors, and international leaders.

Special bonus podcast: The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior

In July 1985, Greenpeace’s flagship Rainbow Warrior arrived in Auckland, preparing for a high-profile protest against nuclear testing at Moruroa Atoll in French Polynesia. But what followed shocked the world.

Documentaries about Climate Action

Merchants of Doubt

Curious about how misinformation is leading to climate scepticism? This compelling documentary looks at pundits-for-hire who present themselves as scientific authorities as they spread disinformation about topics like toxic chemicals, pharmaceuticals and climate change.

Burning

In Burning, award winning Australian filmmaker Eva Orner takes an unflinching look at the catastrophic Australian bushfires of 2019-2020.

The documentary delves into the disaster that unfolded across Australia and analyses the roles played by the federal government and media.

Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet

Would it really be a documentary list without a David Attenborough appearance? In Breaking Boundaries, Attenborough is joined by scientist Johan Rockström to examine Earth’s biodiversity collapse and how this crisis can still be averted.

Documentaries about Nature

Our Oceans

Discover the stories beneath the surface of the water in this stunning nature documentary series.

In the episode on the Southern Ocean, you’ll get to see some familiar faces on board the Arctic Sunrise!

My Octopus Teacher

An unlikely but beautiful friendship

Filmmaker Craig Foster spends nearly a year with an octopus in a South African kelp forest, learning as the animal shares the mysteries of her world and reveals the beauty of humanity’s connection to nature.

A Life on Our Planet

A classic to round out the list!

In this popular series, David Attenborough reflects on his career as a biologist and natural historian. He grieves the loss of wild places on Earth, but offers a hopeful vision for the future. 

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