Film tip 'Land Rush'

This documentary of the excellent 'Why Poverty?' series addresses the serious issue of land grabs in Mali.

So called land grabs are a great international human rights concern which affects many people on the planet, especially in Africa. Big corporations are buying huge plots of land for agricultural developments. The problem is that local farmers are loosing their land and become depended on foreign corporations for work to feed their families.

Land grabs are of one the biggest drivers of poverty and dependency for small-scale farmers in Africa today. For more information about land grabs check the website of Oxfam.

You can watch the full film here...

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 'Origins'

'Origins' looks at the ways of our ancestors and what can we learn from their ancient wisdom for our life today. Living healthy, sustainable and in symbiosis with nature are values which are equally important today.

Most people are disconnected from nature and live unhealthy lifestyles. In contrast to that our ancestors and indigenous people of today have to become part of nature in order to survive. If we want to stop the destruction of the environment and our living habitat then there is a lot to learn from theses ancient wisdom when it is combined with useful modern technology.

'Origins' encourages us to question the modern way of life which is often unhealthy and unsustainable. Well worth a watch!

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 'Our Daily Bread'

This documentary shows the unaltered reality of the daily routine of industrial food production.

Beautifully shot in an observational style the film does not attempt to give explanations but simply and insightfully documents the industrial side of our food, which is usually hidden from our sight. Machinery, animals, workers..all seems to be part of a big mechanism which leaves no room for individuals.

A daring and interesting film which raises concerns about how the food is produced we consume every day.

Watch the full film here...


 Here you can visit the official website.

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 'Consumed'

Our behaviour as consumers has an immense impact on the planet. The things we buy, what we waste, the way we live.

This documentary looks at the psychological aspects of the contemporary consumerist society. Why do we behave like this despite knowing that it is unsustainable? An interesting watch which raises serious questions about the human psyche and our future on this planet.


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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 'No Impact Man'

Could you live without having an impact on the environment for a whole year? No flying, no cars, no fridge, no meat, no electricity, no plastic bags, no toilet paper? Well - this is exactly what Colin Beaven and his familiy tries to achieve.

Eating only local food and avoiding any packaging the family struggles to break through their comfortable habits embedded in their daily lives.

The family becomes a media sensation. But despite criticism and their own mental challenges it becomes a wonderful experience which brings the family closer together, improves their health and helps to spread the word that a different, less wasteful way of life is very possible - even in our modern society.

Watch the full film here...

 

Film tip 'Elsipogtog: The Fire Over Water'

Fracking in the US has become a big issue since the controversial method of extracting shale gas and oil from underground is widespread.

But a native American community in New Brunswick in Canada don't want their rivers to be polluted by environmentally damaging drilling practices. Clashes with the police and peaceful protest, the people are determined to protect their land and livelihoods.

The documentary tries to give an objective account by including voices - both for and against fracking. The film is not only about the environmental impact of fracking but even more so about the mistreatment of a marginalised native culture.

 

Film tip ´The Sixth Extinction`

Never before in the history of the planet have species been disappearing on such a rapid rate. Today extinction of species is about 1000 to 10.000 the so called natural extinction rate.

This documentary addresses this important environmental and biodiversity crisis which is already having a significant impact on the life on this planet. Climate change, destruction of rainforests, pollution and overfishing are some of the issues which cause the problem.

Find out more in our new film tip...

More info on extinction of species for example can be found on the WWF website.

Film tip 'Brazil: The Amazon's Golden Curse'

The price of gold has reached record levels. As a result more illegal miners push deeper and deeper into the Amazon rainforest.

The minework does not only have an environmental impact causing deforestation and pollution but has a devastating impact on indigenous communities.

Their ancient traditions are washed away rapidly by the western influences the miners bring with them. Moreover it causes a serious increase in malaria and other diseases which before had only very little or no impact on the tribes.

Find out more and watch the film here...

Here you can read more about the impact of gold mining on the Amazon rainforest.

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 'Gross National Happiness in Bhutan'

Bhutan is a small country between China and India with a population of about 700.000 people. It is not only a special place of fascinating landscapes, wildlife and culture but perhaps even more so for its different political approach.

Since 1971 Bhutan has rejected GDP as the only way of measuring progress. Instead the primary aim is the wellbeing of the people, measured through formal principles of gross national happiness (GNH) and the spiritual, physical, social and environmental health of its citizens and natural environment.

As a result Bhutan is at the forefront of implementing sustainable and environmentally friendly ways of living. It is the first country in the world to allow only organic crop cultivation.

The country is deeply embedded in Buddhist principles and culture, and despite being one of the poorest countries in the world it is also ranked as one of the happiest in the world - a challenging example as what we perceive as progress.

Film tip 'Garbage Island: An ocean full of plastic'

A team of Vice group sails to North Pacific Gyre to document the massive amount plastic garbage gathering in that area and forming 'an island'. Film is availble to screen online and is in 3 parts

Film tip 'Green Gold'

When we were children we were taught, that we need  clean a mess we did.. And so now when we look at state of natural environment same wisdom could be easily applied....
All over the world we can find visible examples of disbalance in nature caused by humans' actions. One of the ways to 'clean the mess' is by restoring ecosystems with their perfect, natural balance, through Permaculture.
This documentary by John D. Liu presents large-scale ecosystem restoration projects in China, Africa, South America and the Middle East.

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.