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Films & Documentaries With an Environmental Theme

As people become increasingly concerned about our ecology, we're seeing more movies centred around green issues or with environmental themes. Filmmakers are using a broken Earth as the ready-made “villain” for the 21st century. During the , movie heroes constantly fought against evil Russians; these days, film stars struggle against environmental collapse. Here are a few of the top - recent and classic - fictional environmental films for children and adults & non-fiction documentaries:

Silent Running (1972) – Directed by the wizard behind many of the special effects in 2001: A Space Odyssey and with a theme song by , it stars the always interesting as an astronaut in charge of man's last nature preserve, which is in a greenhouse circling the Earth. What will he do when he is ordered to destroy it—along with the last of the planet's life? Chinatown (1973) – Widely regarded as one of the best movies ever made. The crime-noir thriller stars as a detective caught in a web of corruption surrounding control of the water supply for . Soylent Green (1973) – in a dystopian future plagued by overpopulation, pollution and catastrophic climate change. Most of the population lives on processed food tablets produced by a sinister mega-corporation. Dersu Uzala (1975) – Akira Kurosawa directs this portrait of a man living in harmony with nature, struggling against the forces of modernity and “progress.” China Syndrome (1979) – and investigate cover-ups at a nuclear power plant. Based on the true dangers of a nuclear meltdown, the title refers to the (fictional) idea that a nuclear meltdown would bore a hole straight through the Earth from the US to China. Mad Max: The Road Warrior (1981) – The low-budget action franchise that brought into the spotlight. Set in a post-apocalyptic Australia where gangs of bandits fight over disappearing fuel, it’s an extreme illustration of the dangers of peak oil. Never Cry Wolf (1983) – In the Arctic wilderness, a government biologist sent to study the destruction of caribou herds ends up learning to respect the wolves he was told were the problem. Gorillas in the Mist (1988) – Sigourney Weaver plays naturalist Dian Fossey befriending African mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Based on a tragic true story. Dances With Wolves (1991) – The classic starring Kevin Costner as a Civil War lieutenant assimilated into the Native American Sioux tribe. One of the best fictional defences of sustainability against modernity. FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992) – Animated kids movie about a bulldozer operator (voiced by Christian Slater) who is in the process of flattening the forest until he is shrunken to wee size by a forest fairy who wants him to see things from the view of forest creatures losing their homes. as a bat provides comic relief. Free Willy (1994) – The kids’ classic about a boy making friends with a giant killer whale. There’s something ironic, however, about a movie criticizing the exploitation of captive animals starring a captive, trained animal. Pocahontas (1995) – Basically Dances With Wolves for kids. Good for introducing green thinking to children; bad for accurate history lessons about how the English settlers really treated the Native Americans. Fly Away Home (1997) – Based on a successful real-life experiment in teaching new migration patterns to geese using ultralight aircraft. In the movie, a young Anna Paquin plays a girl who adopts and rescues a flock of geese. Princess Mononoke (1997) – A fantasy film about forest spirits and habitat destruction by genius Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. Death and decapitation might make this one too intense for younger children. To Walk With Lions (1999) – Based on renowned real-life conservationists George Adamson and Tony Fitzjohn. The movie deals with the rewards and dangers of protecting endangered animals in Africa. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) – Another animated kids’ movie, this time with talking horses struggling to protect Native Americans from 19th-century settlers. voices the main character. Whale Rider (2004) – This movie won the People’s Choice Award at the 2002 Toronto Film Festival. Based on the novel by Witi Ihimaera about keeping traditional Pacific Island culture alive. The Day After Tomorrow (2004) – Roland Emmerich’s eco-disaster blockbuster, starring Dennis Quaid and . Catastrophic climate change destroys much of modern civilization. Happy Feet (2006) – Animated talking penguins try to save their habitat from destruction by over-. A great movie for kids of all ages. Children of Men (2006) – A bleak dystopian thriller, starring and Julianna Moore, in which the world’s women are no longer able to reproduce. A scary reminder that tampering with nature can have disastrous and inexplicable consequences. Into the Wild (2008)– A sobering portrait, based on the true story of a man who leaves his modern life behind to be closer to nature. gave this one four stars and a big thumbs up. WALL-E (2008) – A brilliant animation from PIXAR and one of the best eco-movies ever, it’s set in a future where the Earth has become a giant landfill and humanity lives in orbiting space stations. The main character is a lonely robot tasked with cleaning up the Earth’s trash and who falls in love along the way. Avatar (2009) – James Cameron’s very pretty blockbuster. Interstellar human strip-miners struggle against blue tree- hugging aliens for control of a planet’s natural resources. The Road (2009) – Environmental apocalypse, starring Viggo Mortenson and Charlize Theron, and based on the Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name. Be sure to load up on antidepressants before tackling this one. The Lorax (1972 remake in 2012) – The original Dr. Seuss animated children's film is only 25 minutes long, so it doesn't qualify as a feature. But the remake in 2012 does it more than justice and both are worth a watch and to be seen by adults and kids alike. It's a cautionary tale about an industrialist who ignores the warning of a wise creature known as the Lorax, clear cuts a forest to use the trees for some useless product and later regrets his decision.

There are many great environmental documentaries besides ’s informative and Academy Award-winning film, An Inconvenient Truth. To see the best, check out the brief environmental, ecology and nature movie reviews presented below from A to Z. If you are in the mood for some ecology related "edutainment" in the form of a motion picture, you'll be hard-pressed to top them.

 Cross of the Moment (2015) - Bill McKibben, Guy McPherson, Gary Snyder and others discuss the monumental import of the climate crisis and call us all to revolution.  Forget Shorter Showers (2015) - Thought provoking mini documentary positing that individual environmental actions, although worthwhile, cannot in and of themselves save the Earth. Instead we need group action that directly challenges the industrial system controlling the world and leading to planetary destruction.  Revolution (2015) - From the director of Sharkwater comes this beautifully photographed documentary that builds a compelling case that our window of opportunity for averting planetary environmental catastrophe is closing quickly. Highly recommended.  Unacceptable Levels (2013) - In the modern world we are exposed to a cocktail of exotic chemicals on a daily basis, affecting our health and especially that of the most vulnerable among us, our children. This film explores the scope of the problem and offers hopeful solutions.  Elemental (2013) - Character studies of three flawed but fascinating environmentalists--one Asian, one Australian, one North American—trying to lead their mostly disinterested, sometimes hostile fellow humans in a last-ditch effort to save our critically ill planet.  A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash (2007) - This film expertly interweaves new and archival footage with experts warning that our addiction to oil—unless we shift to alternatives—will destabilize the world politically and decimate it economically as oil reserves continue their inevitable decline.  Big Boys Gone Bananas!* (2012) - This film offers a gripping account of the multinational Dole Food Corporation's Orwellian attempt to suppress Swedish filmmaker Fredrik Gertten's documentary depicting the company's use of a banned pesticide on its banana crop in Nicaragua.  Blind Spot (2008) - The thesis of this powerful documentary is that by humanity's massive reliance on finite fossil fuels, we have painted ourselves into a corner. If we stop using them, our economy will collapse; if we continue, we will destroy our ecology. Hopefully this film is the slap in the face we need to figure a way out of this conundrum.  Blue Gold: World Water Wars (2009) - Since water is essential to life, you may have thought that it is a shared resource. This is the story of how corporations have been battling to privatise our water supply—and succeeding. What's next, corporate control of air?  Blue Planet: Seas of Life (2002) - Explores life in the oceans with amazing underwater photography (eight-part BBC series).  Blue Vinyl (2005) - When a woman documentary filmmaker discovers parents want to install blue vinyl siding on their house, she begins an investigation of the anti-ecological manufacturing process and ends up in Italy at the manslaughter trial of an Italian purveyor of toxic vinyl siding.  Burning The Future: Coal in (2008) - Appalachian residents battle a coal industry that is poisoning ground water and flattening mountains with the equivalent of a Hiroshima-sized atom bomb every 11-1/2 days—all to extract coal that will contribute 36% of America's global warming emissions.  Cane Toads: An Unnatural History (2000) - Presents a short, comedic look at a misguided effort in Australia to import the predator of a local pest—another example of man trying to manipulate nature and being unable to anticipate the unintended consequences.  Crude (2009) - The largest environmental lawsuit to date is explored in this documentary about the Indigenous Amazon Rainforest dwellers who accuse oil giant Chevron of poisoning and destroying their rainforest.  Dirt! The Movie (2009) - A truly inspiring look at the importance of the humble ground beneath us in facilitating life on the planet—and the dire consequences of neglecting this essential resource.  Earth (2009) - narrates this Disney nature (an independent Disney film subsidiary) documentary that shows how climate change has negatively impacted species across the planet by following polar bears, African elephants and humpback whales over a one-year period as they try to cope with the results.  Earthlings (2005) - narrates this comprehensive look at man's exploitation of other animals, including our use of them as food, clothing, pets, entertainment and in our scientific research. As enlightening as it is hard to watch.  Flow (2008) - Exposes the concerted effort by multinational corporations to privatize the world's water supply and what this means for our environment and our future.  Food, Inc. (2008) - Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), (The Omnivore's Dilemma) and others participate in this engaging documentary about the dangerous state of our food supply thanks to unchecked corporate greed.  (2011) - Relies on persuasive scientific evidence to show that the Western diet is horrible for human health and the planet.  Fuel (2010) - Created over the course of 11 years, this documentary showcases America’s unhealthy dependence on fossil fuels and explores viable alternatives that are kinder to the ecology.  Garbage Warrior (2008) - About US architect Michael Reynolds who builds Earthship (self-sustaining) homes from tires and beer cans. As he says, "a family of four could live here and never have to leave—not for food, water or electricity."  Gasland (2010) - A stirring exposé of the widespread water pollution resulting from hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, a process of using high-pressure fluids to crack surrounding rock formations in order to stimulate oil and gas wells.  Go Further (2005) - Highly entertaining and humorous film that follows as he roams the country in a hemp-powered van touting environmental consciousness. 'Nough said.  Home (2009) - Visually stunning aerial views of the Earth that illustrate the complex web of ecosystems on the planet, and how, along with sunlight and water, they make life possible. Narrated by Glenn Close.  Idle Threat (2012) - Ten billion gallons of gasoline are burned each year by idling vehicles with untold economic, health and environmental costs. This offbeat documentary focuses on one man's battle to get to enforce its anti- idling laws.  Red Gold: An Environmental Documentary (2013) - The natural beauty of Alaska's Bristol Bay is the star of this 55-minute film about how the largest proposed gold and copper mine might affect the salmon runs of the area.  Musicwood (2013) - World-renowned acoustic guitar-makers confront a Native American corporation that is clear-cutting the Tongass forest to supply them with wood. Fascinating on many levels.  Chasing Ice (2013) - Photographer James Balog employs time-lapse photography to graphically illustrate the speed and extent of climate change on Arctic glaciers.  DamNation (2014) - Beautiful cinematography documents how our attitudes about big dams are changing to the point that some are being removed allowing nature to return.  Wild Reverence (2014) - What begins as a Washington State fishing trip becomes a quest to expose the threat to iconic wild steelhead trout along the US Pacific coast.  The Last Ocean (2012) - It's environmentalists and scientists versus the fishing industry, which wants at the Antarctic toothfish in the Ross Sea of Antarctica, the most pristine ocean area left on the planet.  If A Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front (2012) - Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Marshall Curry documents the rise and fall of the ELF while exploring our concepts of environmentalism, activism, and terrorism.  The Last Mountain (2011) - The beautiful Appalachian mountains are the backdrop for this expose of the threat mountain- top-removal coal mining poses to the environment—and our democracy.  In Search Of The Holey Veil (2012) - An entertaining video journal of mushroom hunter and photographer Taylor F. Lockwood's trek across India, China, Thailand and Nepal looking for exotic mushrooms. We see tons of Lockwood's beautiful photographs and learn a lot about the wonders of nature along the way. View trailer  King Corn (2008) - Highlights the ubiquity of genetically engineered corn in our food supply, thanks to government corn subsidies, and how this degrades our ecology and threatens our survival.  Last Call At The Oasis (2011) - Water is important to our economy and essential to our very survival, yet we are running out. Academy Award®-winning director Jessica Yu looks at communities already experiencing problems, what this portends for our future and what creative solutions have been proposed.  Life And Debt (2001) - Shows how the International Monetary Fund’s regulation of Jamaica’s economy has adversely affected its ecology.  Manufactured Landscapes (2007) - This eco documentary reports on the environmental effects of strip mining in China.  March Of The Penguins (2005) - A gripping chronicle of the treacherous and suspenseful lives of Emperor Penguins as they struggle to survive and breed in a harsh, sub-zero-temperature climate.  Microcosmos (1996) - Absolutely stunning cinematography from innovative micro-cameras take the viewer down to the level of insects, giving an appreciation and empathy for these, our fellow species. Highly recommended for both adults and kids.  Monumental: David Brower's Fight For Wild America (2005) - A survey (using his own films) of the life of environmental activist David Brower (1912-2000), who was instrumental in passage of the 1964 Wilderness Act, saving the Grand Canyon from damming and creating both Point Reyes National Seashore and Redwoods National Park.  National Geographic: Human Footprint (2008) - Graphically illustrates the environmental impact each of us has on the planet.  No Impact Man (2008) - Fascinating story of a man, his wife, two-year-old daughter and dog who go off-grid for one year in New York City in order to minimize their environmental impact. Is it possible? You'll see.  Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series (2007) - A beautifully filmed survey of life as it exists in wide-ranging ecosystems across the globe.  Planet In Peril (2008) - A wide-ranging 3-hour documentary, shot in high definition, that engagingly covers four key environmental issues: climate change, vanishing ecosystems, loss of species and the human population explosion.  Tapped (2010) - A shocking look at the attempt by multinational corporations to privatize water—a resource that is essential to our survival and should be held in common—and sell it back to us in plastic bottles that end up clogging our oceans.  The Corporation (2004) - The history of that legal construct we call a corporation with an emphasis on its (environmental and other) pathologies. This film is a must-see for understanding why our world is in such a bad state and how we might fix it.  The Cove (2009) - This Academy Award winner depicts the gruesome ritualistic slaughter of bottlenose dolphins in Taiji, Japan. Not recommended for the squeamish.  The End Of The Line (2010) - Looks at the ecological devastation—on both global and local levels—caused by overfishing and sends out a dire warning from scientists that we may have a fish-less ocean by 2048 if we don't implement sustainable fishing practices soon.  The Future Of Food (2005) - Exposes how the food industry uses its political influence to eviscerate the government’s environmental and safely regulations.  The Garden (2008) - When the largest community garden in the US is threatened with closure, social and political battles ensue as many working class families resist this greed-based decision.  The Power Of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil (2006) - An empowering look at how communities in Cuba worked together to decrease their dependence on fossil fuels when their oil imports were cut in half as a result of the fall of their ally and oil supplier, the Soviet Union.  The Unforeseen (2007) - Examines the friction aroused by the competing goals of economic development and environmental protection in Austin, Texas.  The 11th Hour (2008) - Some of our top scientists, environmentalists and politicians discuss the imminent ecological crisis we face and what we must do now to prevent it.  Toxic Soup (2011) - This is a fascinating David-and-Goliath story of ordinary people around the world battling giant corporations to keep their air, water and blood free from pollution.  Trashed (2007) - A graphic look at the amount of garbage we produce, where it goes and why this level of trash generation is unsustainable.  (2010) - Engaging saga of three New Yorkers—representing very different demographics—who agree to give up eating and wearing animal products for six weeks. Will they stick with it and, if so, how will their health and attitudes change? Persuasively pro-vegan and pro-environmental.  Waste Land (2010) - Follow Brazilian fine artist Vik Muniz as he enlists poverty stricken trash pickers at the world's largest landfill in Rio de Janeiro to participate in an art project. If you are interested in art, humanity, overconsumption or recycling, it will more than satisfy you.  Who Killed The Electric Car? (2006) - Details car company General Motor’s efforts to bury its own electric-car research and development—and take back and destroy its electric cars from satisfied drivers who want to keep them.

Job 12:7-10 - But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In God’s hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all humankind.

Romans 1:19-20 - since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that we are without excuse.