Around the world we’re celebrating Earth Day today. Our planet is such a beautiful place but with enormous problems facing the it, such as climate crisis, it can feel overwhelming. So if you want to make positive change, where do you start?
It may not feel like it as individuals but social change happens when we change and help to change the minds of those around us. “Small acts multiplied by millions of people can change the world,” said American historian Howard Zinn. We need to believe this is true, because the alternative is that things feel so bad that it leads to inactivity.
Educate, learn and grow. As individuals we can make a difference as part of a bigger movement. From growing veg, to shopping local, reducing our impact, getting involved with environmental groups, how we live and the decisions we make, all have an impact. So let’s help to make positive change on Earth Day, one step at a time and take care of this beautiful world we share.
Here are a selection of films which evoke change to inspire you on Earth Day and every day for the future of our planet.
A Plastic Wave
A surf photographer, business owner and father of two Dave Muir, is seeing more and more plastic wash ashore his beloved home beach at Gwenver in Cornwall. In a bid to discover the route of this problem he embarks on a journey of discovery to educate himself and understand more about the problem. Along the way, he discovers some alarming issues. Plastic Pollution is a very real threat to the future of our planet, the animals that inhabit our oceans and ultimately the human race. The problem is far worse than it seems on the surface and we need to act now to ensure we protect the future for ourselves and our planet.
Water Warriors
Water Warriors is the story of a community’s successful resistance against the oil and gas industry. When an energy company begins searching for natural gas in New Brunswick, Canada, indigenous and white families unite to drive out the company in a campaign to protect their water and way of life.
Water Warriors is a short film and exhibit by Storyline. Directed and Produced by Michael Premo.
Kin
All of life – each breath, every sip – is an inheritance from those who came before. Lauren Hill and Dave Rastovich travel to one of Australia’s most protected marine playgrounds to discover what it looks like when we get things right.
The Custodians
Patagonia are at the forefront of environmental activism. Watch this series of films which focusses on the awareness of the harm that bottom trawling is doing to coastal waters and to highlight the groups who are working hard to fight the trawlers and/or restoring the seabed.
Before The Flood
Also check out mainstream environmental films such as An Inconvenient Truth, The Day After Tomorrow or Before the Flood – Leo Dicaprio’s documentary about the negative effects of climate change and he also discusses the possible solutions.
Watch Before The Flood here
