Climate change is real, and it’s here. With the urgency of the situation comes the need for immediate solutions. But, how do you spread public awareness about a topic as crucial as climate change?
It’s a good thing that there are tons of movies about climate change, sustainability, human-nature balance, etc. Movies provide educational content and raise awareness about these topics in an entertaining manner.
Must-Watch Climate Change Films
An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
US Vice President Al Gore wrote An Inconvenient Truth in 2006. This documentary details the cataclysmic effects of climate change in comprehensive PowerPoint presentations and numerous speeches. It presents the causes, outcomes, and possible solutions to counter the growing risks of climate change.
If you aren’t moved by the narrative presented by US VP Al Gore, then you can be sure to have an awakening when you witness the cold realities of the effects of global warming.
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
If the first few minutes of the opening scene of The Day After Tomorrow will not scare you enough to become aware of the escalating climate change effects, then the rest of the movie will.
This sci-fi thriller movie tells the story of a father who travels to New York City to find his son. But the tumultuous voyage with climactic catastrophes one after another will have you on the edge of your seat.
Despite some not-so-favorable critic reviews of the movie, one message comes across: humanity’s irresponsible activities are causing irreparable damage to Earth.
Don’t Look Up (2021)
A recent addition to this much-watch list is a film by Leonardo di Caprio. Don’t Look Up is an allegorical film that tackles the current political and social situation of climate change. Adam McKay, the film’s director, uses a fictional catastrophic comet discovery as a metaphor for climate change.
In this film, scientists’ and experts’ warnings about the impending comet are turning on deaf ears, both from governments and the public in general. In the end, when the comet collided with earth, the entire species’ demise was also inevitable.
When you watch this film, it poses a challenge. Whether to ignore the continuous call of scientists to revert the effects of climate change or take up arms and fight for this planet’s survival.
Snowpiercer (2014)
Scientists have repeatedly pointed out that in the fight against climate change, the ones most affected are the poor. And Snowpiercer has communicated this message effectively.
Set in a post-apocalyptic time, the movie takes place on a train filled with people who survived the Earth’s destruction. The story unfolds when lower-class passengers eventually rebelled against elite passengers.
This movie by South Korean director Bong Joon-Ho of the Parasite fame paints a brutally honest picture of the effects of global warming and the great social disparity between the rich and poor.
The Day The Earth Stood Still (2014)
The Day The Earth Stood Still sends an alien to Earth to warn humans of their environmental abuse or face eradication. The movie not only tackles environmental damage caused by humankind, but it takes on the ongoing climate change with passion.
A dire warning is issued by the protagonist, Keanu Reeves who plays the alien Klaatu, sending a message that it’s time to act now!
Climate Change Is a Social Responsibility
All these movies show that climate change and its catastrophic effects will not be an impossibility given the lackluster interest of the public. Climate change is an issue that affects everyone, a social responsibility that everybody must take part in.
What can you do to address the growing effects of climate change?
Buy a sustainable home to get started. Architecture firms like Unika Stenhus – https://www.unikastenhus.se/ have unique home designs that you can choose from. These homes are sustainable, flexible, and energy efficient.
If you own a home, you can make it energy efficient to lessen carbon footprints and conserve energy. Make sure that it’s well insulated for the hot and cold seasons. Outfit it with smart appliances. Change incandescent bulbs with LED lighting. Use renewable energy sources. Practice reuse and recycling.
Climate change is a social responsibility. Between all of humanity, a small change in lifestyle can contribute to slowing down the effects of climate change.