Films, though, do possess a great power to move even the most intransigent of souls. So, in an effort to shock us into change, we’ve put together some outstanding films that showcase the ways in which we’re pillaging our planet and what we can do to stop it. And since you’re cooped up at home, trying not to asphyxiate outside, watch these films and stop gassing the planet.

An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

Directed by Davis Guggenheim, An Inconvenient Truth tells the story of former United States Vice President Al Gore’s campaign to educate citizens about global warming through an illustrated talk aimed at alerting the public to a “planetary emergency”.

Quick take: It’s a landmark film that demystified “global warming” and was a huge step on the road to getting the world to pay closer attention to it.

No Impact Man (2009)

No Impact Man, directed by Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein, is based on the book by Colin Beavan. The film follows Beavan and his family during their year-long experiment to live a life that causes zero negative impact on the environment.

Quick take: No Impact Man shows us how it is possible to reduce our carbon footprint dramatically. You certainly don’t have to go the extreme lengths of the Beavan family, but there’s a lot to emulate.

The Cove (2009)

The Cove documents former dolphin trainer and activist Ric O’Barry’s war to stop the heartless capture and brutal massacre of dolphins in Taiji, Wakayama, Japan. In the 1960s, O’Barry helped capture and train the five wild dolphins who shared the role of “Flipper” in the hit television series of the same name. O’Barry felt dolphins shouldn’t be kept in captivity or trained as performing animals and decided to dedicate himself full-time as an advocate of the welfare of dolphins around the world.

Quick take: The Cove will make you angry. The Cove will make you weep. The Cove will shock you. And if it doesn’t, you don’t have the heart to tackle pollution.

Chasing Ice (2012)

Environmental photographer James Balog was initially sceptical about climate change, but after going to Greenland, Iceland, and Alaska and capturing images that track its effects, he is convinced of the havoc humans are wreaking on the planet and commits to doing something about it. The film charts his journey and experiences.

Quick take: An evolved version of An Inconvenient Truth that will stun you with its visuals and the sight of those fast-disappearing icebergs.

How to Change the World (2015)

What began in 1971 as a motley group of activists that set sail from Vancouver, Canada in a fishing boat to stop an atomic test in Amchitka, Alaska is today Greenpeace. How to Change the World chronicles the untold story of the birth of the modern environmental movement that altered the way we look at the world.

Quick take: Thrilling proof that ordinary individuals with a conscience can make a difference in path-breaking ways governments can’t and won’t.

Before the Flood (2016)

The film shows Leonardo DiCaprio, UN Messenger of Peace with a special focus on climate change, visiting various regions of the globe to explore the impact of global warming. Repeatedly referencing the 15th century triptych by Hieronymus Bosch, The Garden of Earthly Delights, DiCaprio tells the story of what is being done to prevent our world from hurtling towards ruin. His experience in India, should resonate with viewers and it’s heartening to see the steps India has taken to invest in green energy.

Quick take: A decade after An Inconvenient Truth, this is perhaps the first film that takes a somewhat optimistic view of what we are finally trying to do tackle the threat of global warming – globally.   

Disclaimer : The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the views of ScoopWhoop.