Everyone likes a good environmental documentary! Whether sitting down to watch Planet Earth or watching adventure on-screen in Free Solo, there’s so much to explore in our world through filmmaking. While many environmental documentaries are on streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, these services aren’t available to everyone.
Now, many films are available to watch online for free as an educational resource for teachers and students through internet archives, Tubi, YouTube, or other online free video services. Consider sharing these titles with your environmental science classrooms.
Generation on Fire (2019)
Watch on YouTube
Generation on Fire is a short film produced for the Sunrise Movement, a youth activist climate movement. This film follows two groups of youth activists as they walk hundreds of miles to demand the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps in the U.S.
This documentary is a great launchpad for discussion about the modern climate activism movement and youth activism. Since it is a short film, it’s perfect for a night of discussion with youth activists or library programming that features young changemakers.
The River (1937)
Watch on Youtube
Directed by Pare Lorenz to promote President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal and the Civilian Conservation Corp, The River looks at restoration efforts along the Mississippi River. Another short film, Lorenz’s documentary is a snapshot into the beginnings of the environmental movement, which would pair well with a more modern conservationist film or a panel discussion on the history of environmentalism in the U.S.
Although this film may seem dry by today’s standards, the script was nominated for a Nobel Prize in Literature and it has an incredible score. Additionally, America’s history of environmental degradation is brought to the forefront in The River and is a stark reminder of the kinds of action we need to take now.
The Plastic Problem (2019)
Watch on Youtube
From PBS NewsHour, The Plastic Problem discusses the ubiquitous problem of plastic in the modern world. The stuff is everywhere and in everything — and causes numerous issues to human health and greatly impacts wildlife.
Through this documentary, viewers will learn the specifics of plastic’s impact and how to reduce their own plastic use. It’s an important discussion and at under an hour, this documentary is short, sweet, and informative.
The River and the Wall (2019)
Watch on Tubi
The River and the Wall is a stunning film about the Rio Grande River where it borders the U.S. and “The Wall” former President Donald Trump intended to build on the Mexican border.
This documentary looks at this humanitarian crisis through an environmental lens, showing how a border wall would impact not only the Rio Grande’s precious ecosystems but also the communities along the border.
Its near two-hour runtime is nothing to be afraid of; the filmmakers create a compelling narrative that enraptures audiences.
Public Trust: The Fight for America’s Lands (2020)
Watch on Youtube
America’s public lands are under threat and this film from Patagonia details exactly what’s at risk while reveling in the beauty of public lands. Public Trust is a great introduction to this issue, especially in an area where access to public lands is really important for outdoor recreation.
The film also discusses why conservation of these public lands is important and how American politics are influencing the management of these spaces.
Read our review of Public Trust: The Fight for America's Lands