Of all the frightening things Donald Trump has done in his young presidency — and there are a lot of them — perhaps the scariest is his outright assault on the environment. Not only is Trump a climate change denier, but he is taking measures to get rid of many of the environmental protections put in place by the Obama administration. And if you're looking for a way to help stop this from happening, the first thing to do is to get educated on the issues. Thankfully, there are a lot of environmental documentaries to watch if you're worried about the world that will help you do just that.
The docs on this list deal with a wide range of subjects, but they all have one thing in common: Looking for ways to save the environment. Whether it's searching for methods to combat climate change, fighting back against the corporate and political interests that are selling out the planet's future for their own short-sighted monetary gain, rescuing animals that are in danger of disappearing from existence, or thinking about the way we consume and interact with nature, the following 14 movies should at least give you hope that you're not alone in your concern — and will show you you're not the only one who's willing to fight for the future.
1‘An Inconvenient Sequel’
An Inconvenient Truth made global warming a mainstream political topic in 2006, and now the sequel shows the progress we've made since — as well as the threat Trump poses in eradicating that progress.
2‘Gasland’
This just in: Fracking is not good for anyone except for the people making money off of it.
3‘Chasing Ice’
Anyone who doubts whether or not global warming is real should head to the arctic and check out the ice levels.
4‘The Ivory Game’
The possible extinction of elephants in my lifetime is hard to take in; as is the fact that the current president's sons paid thousands of dollars to kill an elephant, presumably so they could feel like big men.
5‘Racing Extinction’
Scientists agree Earth is in the process of a sixth major extinction event, but can anything be done to sop it?
6‘More Than Honey’
The bumble bee was added to the Endangered Species list this past January, which may become a moot point if Republicans in Congress get their way and gut the Endangered Species Act.
7‘Switch’
Will we ever make the switch to clean energy? Probably not in the next four years, but hopefully someday.
8‘The Great Invisible’
The BP oil spill was a nightmare, and it could definitely happen again.
9‘How To Change The World’
Looking to get involved and make a difference? Here's your roadmap?
10‘Trashed’
This will really open your eyes and make you more conscious about what you consume.
11‘DamNation’
You may not realize this, but the U.S. is covered in dams — and many of them are in horrible shape and are wrecking the environment.
12‘Climate Of Doubt’
Frontline always makes fantastic documentaries, and their examination of why climate change denial has become part of the Republican Party platform is so important.
13‘Before The Flood’
Leonardo DiCaprio never stars in bad movies, and that rule applies to documentaries as well, as he takes a serious look at climate change.
