Film tip 'The Internet Indians'

'The Internet Indians' is part of the documentary series by Al Jazeera called 'The Fight for Amazonia'. This interesting documentary tells an usual story where a small tribe near the border of Peru and Brazil is resisting illegal logging by the means of using the internet.

There is a lot at stake. Every year an area of 2 million hectares is destroyed in the Amazon. The Amazon rainforest is the largest in the world and home to most land species on the planet.

The Ashaninka tribe has giving up fighting the logging companies with bows and arrows and found that, since their villages have been connected to the internet, they can oppose much more effectively the ongoing destruction of the forests.

 Watch the full film here...

Film tip 'The Age of Stupid'

The Age of Stupid is one of the most successful and far reaching environmental films ever made. Financed by crowdfunding it became a box office hit in 2009.

This documentary is like a time machine. We travel to the future to the year 2055 and take a look what went wrong. Why did humanity did not prevent climate change when we had the time and the information to do so? Looking at different characters the film brings all of us closer to the urgency of the issue of climate change and our responsibility to do something about it. A fantastic and powerful watch..must see!

Film tip 'Earthrise'

Earthrise is a series of short documentaries by Al Jazeera which explores positive solutions to the environmental challenges of today.

While most other environmental films would highlight what goes wrong in the world, these films attempt the opposite by looking at innovative ecological, technical, social or design solutions which help to save the environment. From revolutionary recycling products, farming without pesticides or collecting waste oil, Earthrise looks at the positive achievements which are often overlooked. Many examples not only benefit nature but also also the local population.

Here you can watch one of the short films which looks at the issue of mountain top removal where hilltops are blown up with dynamite in order to extract oil. What is left is a wasteland. But a project in the US shows how these barren areas can be re-transformed into greening forests.

For plenty more positive examples of green initiatives and developments visit the Earthrise website.

 

Film tip 'Future of Food - Part 1: India'

This is the first part of a very informative series by the BBC about issues related to food. Traveling not only to India but Mexico, Cuba and Ethiopia the first episode of the series gives a very good overview about food related problems at present and in future.

The documentary looks at the environmental impact of food production, the water shortages it causes, oil consumption as well as health issues. Britain imports about 40% of its food from abroad which means that our choice in the supermarket has global consequences. Waste of food, unhealthy eating choices and overconsumption are other factors which contribute to that.

A well recommended watch...


Here you can watch Part 2: Senegal and here Part 3: Cuba.

Film tip 'Years of Living Dangerously'

This is the first part of a documentary series about human stories connected to climate change. The well produced film features celebrities such as Don Cheadle and Harrison Ford.

We learn about droughts in Texas USA and how believe systems can be challenged by science about climate change. Another trip takes us to the depth of the Indonesian rainforests where even national parks are not safe from incredibly fast and ruthless deforestation for palm oil. And journalist Thomas L. Friedman tries to find out how climate change has provoked the revolution in Syria.

And interesting watch, addressing some important issues around climate change from an unusual perspective.

 

Film tip 'To The Last Drop'

This is an excellent documentary about the devastating environmental and health impacts of tar sand developments in Canada.

The people of the small town Fort Chipewyan in Alberta struggle with very unusually high cancer rates. The tar sand exploitation areas are incredibly vast - already larger than Greece - many more future developments are planned. But the river and air is being polluted to a large extend causing significant health risks to nature, animals and humans alike.

Despite the fact that the First Nation people of the Cree have native land rights in the region they face the powerful and rich oil industry as their opponent who is determined to deny health risks claims and expand their production.

Watch the whole film in two parts here...


The Tar Sands Solutions Network is one of many websites where you can learn more about tar sand projects and get involved to take action.

Film tip 'Witness Green Death of the Forest'

Indonesia has the highest deforestation rate worldwide.

Shot by a single person, this documentary almost poetically illustrates the impact on Orang Utans in Indonesia. The film works without a narration giving unusual and deep insight through its imagery.

 

Film tip 'Damocracy'

Despite its controversy more megadams are still being built around the world and sold as being green. In reality most projects are harmful to the environment, contributing to climate change and threatening wildlife and indigenous communities.

This documentary explores the controversial subject on the examples of megadam projects in Brazil and Turkey.

 Watch the film here...
 

Film tip 'Planet in Peril'

Planet in Peril is an important documentary which makes the connection between different threats to the planet. Forest destruction, endangered species, poverty, climate change and more issues are covered in this four hour documentary which is available in two parts.

From the illegal wildlife trade in Thailand to oil exploitation in the Niger Delta, the film covers a variety of locations including Alaska, Brazil, Madagasgar, Yellowstone Park and more.

An interesting watch which gives a good overview of some of the major issues which threaten the future of the planet and its inhabitants.

Watch the first part here...


Watch the second part here.

Film tip 'The Battle for the Arctic'

As oil resources become increasingly scarce the reservoirs under the melting ice of the Arctic become a target for oil exploitation. The battle for resources has begun despite alarming risks of oil drilling in these sensitive environments.

Also with climate change and the ice melting new potential shipping routes open up which make the area even more commercially attractive.

The documentary explores not only environmental risks and the political background but gives a voice to local indigenous communities which are directly affected by the changes to their land.

You can watch the full film here.

  Watch other episodes of 'Fault Lines' here.

Film tip 'ACID TEST: The Global Challenge of Ocean Acidification'

Ocean acidification is a subject we don't to hear much about. And yet it is one of the most major environmental issues of our time and a direct consequence of climate change.

This documentary explains what causes acidification and the effct it has on marine life. As increasing amounts of CO2 is absorbed by the world's oceans, micro organisms and plants are poisened which affects the whole food chain up to the human being.

Watch the whole film here...

Film tip 'Milking the Rhino'

Wildlife and nature conservation are important, but what is the impact on indigenous communities who live in these areas?

Conservation can mean relocation of tribes and compromising ancient traditions on the other hand it can be a sustainable source of income and benefit the wildlife. This is a crucial but ambivalent issue which raises questions of how indigenous people can be integrated in the progress rather than being excluded.

This is the first major documentary which explores the subject from the point of view of indigenous tribes. On the example of African conservation areas in Kenya and Namibia we learn about the pros and cons of nature conservation for local communities.

This excellent documentary gives a voice of to the varying opinions of indigenous people which are rarely heard and understand. Highly recommended. Watch the trailer here.

Visit the official website milkingtherhino.org here.

Film tip Special: Animations

There is plenty of talented people in this world creating stunning animation work. Fortunately some of them are dedicated to environmental issues.

Here are a few examples. The makers of The Story of Stuff for instance have released yet another animation 'The Story of Change'. But surely there is plenty more out there. Do you know some more the world should see? Then let us know and leave a comment.

Film tip 'What in the World Are They Spraying?'

Some important subjects are simply ignored or ridiculed by the mainstream media, labeled as conspiracy theories. However some of them well deserve to be looked at and to be investigated. And geo-engineering is one of them.

Many names and explanations have been given to the white stripes which are left by jets lingering on the sky from simply jet engine exhausts to chemtrails and cloudseeding. So far it has not been clarified whether we are just witnessesing harmless engine exhausts or indeed geo-engineering experiments without public consent like un-official sources claim.

An official report by the UK House of Commons in 2010 acknowledged the use of geo-engineering and cloud seeding to prevent climate change in the UK. However, official statements are rare and the general public is left in the dark.

This documentary tries to shed some more light on this important issue which should not be excluded from public debate. Watch the full film in parts here...

Film tip 'Manufactured Landscapes'

This is a truly extraordinary documentary which sheds light to the extend of manufactured industrial environments. It is the project of large scale photographer Edward Burtynsky which is as much art as it is an environmental statement.

We get to experience seemingly alien places in China from an usual perspective. The underlying questions seem to be what world we have created, what for and at what price does it come.

The film deals with the impact of industrialisation and environmental issues in a new and eye-opening way.

Watch the full film here...

Film Tip 'Bolivia: Fighting the Climate Wars'

This short documentary is a telling case study about the affects of climate change in a South American country.

We get to know more about the situation in Bolivia, encountering problems of farmers to grow crops and landslides destroying villages.

This is one of the films produced by The Guardian who cover social and environmental subjects around the world. Watch the full film here...

Film Tip 'Making the Connection'

What we eat has an immense impact, not only on our health but also on the environment. Meat production for example contributes more green house gases than all transport together! (Read more facts on meat here)

This is a short and very beautifuly made documentary about the benefits of a vegan diet. Without being preached at, we learn more about a healthy lifestyle simply by listening to the experiences of vegan people like chefs and athletes.

This visual treat which will hopefully inspire more people to consider a change to a more healthy, compassionate and environmentaly friendly diet.

Watch the full film here...



Find out more about veganism for example on the site of the vegan society.

Film tip 'Garbage Warrior'

Nothing is wasted! At least not for architect Michael Reynolds who set himself the mission to build incredible homes by using waste products.

Since 30 years Reynolds is experimenting in the New Mexican desert with eco-firendly house building. With great success, which could mean an overdue revolution of the way we think and built. With an simple and cost effective approach self-sustained houses can be made which heat themself, provide own water and grow own food and overall are unique and beautiful.

Is this the way to save us from ecologocical disaster? It might well be part of it. However, not everybody agrees with Reynold's vision.

Find out more and watch this truly inspiring film here.


Visit the official Garbage Warrior website here.

Film tip 'Cap and Trade'

In times of climate change, many groups and individuals are seeking for solutions. The Copenhagen Climate Summit was supposed to bring serious solutions on political levels. But still we are waiting for a new climate change agreement after the Kyoto protocol.

However, one of propositions in Copenhagen which was ment to save the planet was a policy of Cap and Trade. What is that and does is it really help? Or is it another trick to avoid responsibility for polluting industries?

Check it out in Free Range Studios production.

Film tip '11th hour'

The '11th hour' is a documentary created, produced and narrated by an actor Leonardo DiCaprio in 2007.

With contributions from over 50 politicians, scientists, and environmental activists, including former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, physicist Stephen Hawking, Noble price winner Wangari Maathai, and journalist Paul Hawken, the film documents the grave problems facing the planet's life systems. Global warming, deforestation, mass species extinction, and depletion of the oceans' habitats are all addressed. The film's premise is that the future of humanity is in jeopardy.

But apart of showing the dramatic facts about our current situation the film offers potential solutions to these problems by calling for restorative action by the reshaping and rethinking of global human activity through technology, social responsibility and conservation.

The trailer

You can watch the whole the film here

Find out more on activism projects on the website connected with this movie:

The 11th hour action website