10 Eco-Conscious Documentaries You Have To Watch This Winter

The days are getting colder and the sun is setting earlier, so cosy evenings are a must. Documentaries are a great way to educate yourself and watching them with a hot drink and blankets makes for a perfect wintery evening.

As 2019 comes to an end, it's the perfect time to reflect on this year and also look forward to the year ahead. These 10 eco-conscious documentaries are a great place to start if you're trying to be more sustainable and eco-friendly.

These documentaries are so informative and tackle a lot of aspects regarding the environment and sustainability, so give them a watch if you want to start your sustainable journey!

Minimalism: A Documentary about the Important Things

'How might your life be better with less?' Getting rid of excess possessions and keeping things that serve a purpose can make your life clearer and more meaningful. This documentary follows the lives of an array of people from all walks of life, showing that less can mean more.

Chasing Coral

Winner of the Audience Award at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, Chasing Coral shows the devastating destruction of our coral reefs due to climate change and global warming. It isn't too late to reduce the rate of climate change and save our coral reefs, but change must happen now. Along with its original score composed by Dan Romer and Saul Simon MacWilliams, the cinematography is stunning and highlights just how important coral reefs are for our ecosystem.

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power

This sequel continues to follow politician and environmentalist Al Gore as he tries to persuade leaders to invest in sustainable and renewable energy. This led to the signing of the Paris Agreement, aiming to decrease global warming. It's important to understand just how vital it is for international politicians to invest in reducing climate change – the power is in their hands.

Explained: The World's Water Crisis

This series explores a different topic in every episode. This particular one focuses on the lack of drinkable water worldwide, questioning how to price such a valuable resource. But can you put a price on a human right? How can we ensure that everyone has access to clean water and what are the consequences if nothing is done?

The Game Changers

Veganism has been a huge topic in recent years, and this documentary has certainly changed the game. There are environmental benefits to eating a plant-based diet, but this pays particular attention to the health benefits. Elite athletes show that a vegan diet isn't only beneficial to the environment but to our bodies and minds.

Stacey Dooley: Fashion's Dirty Secrets

The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world, yet the fast fashion industry is still becoming more and more popular. Society's obsession with cheap clothing is exposed as damning and dangerous - seas are drying up and people are left living in toxic, poverty-stricken environments. This is a MUST watch and really makes you think before you buy.

Climate Change: The Facts

'It's good to be presented with something you can trust. And we can all trust Attenborough.' Sir David Attenborough is a household name, an advocate for the conservation of our natural world. He presents the scientific facts about global warming and climate change and offers remedies to aid in the reduction of the damage we have already done.

Seven World's One Planet

The continents are vastly different and house an array of animals. But, climate change is having a gargantuan effect on our ecosystem, and in turn, our wildlife. These creatures cannot protect themselves from climate change, but we can do everything in our power to ensure that they are safe from the damage we have done. Over 1,500 people worked on this series over 5 years – this documentary should go straight to the top of your watch-list this Winter.

2040

Currently in cinemas, Damon Gameau produced this film for his young daughter. Worried about her future, he travels worldwide to uncover what can be done to solve global warming. This film is so different from other eco-conscious documentaries. It's a positive attitude to the world's biggest problem is refreshing, and the visuals make for a stunning film. Also released as a DVD for schools, it is a great learning tool that offers some optimism amongst our very cynical society.

Ice on Fire

Methane release is aggravated by global warming. In the Arctic, methane release has increased, which may lead to an extinction-level event. Co-produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, this documentary uses science and technology to shine some positivity on a very grim reality. It premiered at Cannes Film Festival and has been described as 'a beginners' guide to Arctic thaw and its consequences' (The Hollywood Reporter).