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Deep blue sea documentaries for World Ocean Day
Videos we like: Sea-themed documentaries for World Ocean Day
Videos we like: Sea-themed documentaries for World Ocean Day
Looking for the best ocean-themed documentaries on the planet? For World Ocean Day, we’ve fished up these hard-hitting, inspiring and beautiful portrayals of the deep blue sea.
A habitat vital for human survival as much as for the life that calls the sea home, humanity is fast waking up to the need to protect the deep blue. If you can’t get outside to enjoy the sight of the deep blue this World Ocean Day, do the next best thing and see these top ocean-themed documentaries.
For more documentaries on our oceans, subscribe to Tomorrow Unlocked on YouTube and watch From Kurils With Love, a poignant look at a forgotten archipelago and its endangered seal population.
2014
About ocean preservation
On Netflix
Directed by Fisher Stevens and Robert Nixon
Get to know the ground-breaking work of oceanographer and National Geographic explorer-in-residence Dr Sylvia Earle, whose water work in Mission Blue will make you well up.
2017
About coral reefs
On Netflix
Directed by Jeff Orlowski
“Under the sea” sang Sebastian the crab among animated friends and coral reefs. Fast forward to today and he and his friends might not be so impressed at the rapid disappearance of coral from across the globe. In Chasing Coral, divers, photographers and scientists start an epic adventure to reveal the reasons for coral depletion.
2017
About ocean biodiversity
On Amazon Prime
Directed by Various, on behalf of BBC
No documentary list would be complete without the legend Sir David Attenborough. Dive into an endless stream of arresting, awe-inspiring ocean footage, emperor penguins and unusual species.
2018
About shark finning
On Amazon Prime
Directed by Rob Stewart
Shark finning might not be as notorious as plastic pollution or biodiversity loss, but it’s gravely damaging the ocean. Explore the billion-dollar shark fin industry in this exposé of political corruption at sea.
2009
About dolphin preservation
On YouTube
Directed by Louie Psihoyos
What happens when an activist and filmmaker team up with a preservation society to expose one of Japan’s most gruesome secrets? The Cove won a Best Documentary Oscar.
2021
About overfishing
On Netflix
Directed by Ali Tabrizi
You’ll have heard talk of this documentary during the pandemic. Seaspiracy will change the way you look at the ocean, its inhabitants and everything it produces. Not for the faint-hearted.
2016
About plastic pollution
On Netflix
Directed by Craig Leeson
Winning dozen awards, A Plastic Ocean raised the alarm about the growing threat of plastic polluting the oceans. Shot in 20 locations over four years, this is a hard-hitting exploration of plastic’s impact on the seas.
2013
About orca captivity
On Netflix
Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Following the story of captive orca Tilikum who killed three people, Blackfish is the shocking story of the devastation caused by keeping wild animals for entertainment.
2020
About octopi
On Netflix
Directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed
The result of a human-octopus friendship, this heart-warming documentary looks at cross-species connection below the surface. Tissues at the ready.
Did we miss any great ocean-themed documentaries?
These are our favorites, but we know there are more ocean-inspired documentaries everyone should see. Give us your recommendations on Twitter and Facebook.
World-changing environmental docos: 7 of the best
Videos we like: Our favorite environment documentaries for Earth Day
Videos we like: Our favorite environment documentaries for Earth Day
As we prepare for life after the pandemic, the inspiration of the great outdoors calls. These 7 environment documentaries are essential Earth Day watching.
This time last year, much of the world was in lockdown. Now, we move towards a new normal of roaming freely in the great outdoors. But spare a thought for the future of nature. While we’ve been battling lousy Zoom connections, the environment is under threat from plastic pollution, overfishing and more.
But technological advancements and our renewed appreciation of nature mean hope is on the horizon. This Earth Day, we’ve picked seven environmental documentaries showing incredible responses to our world’s most pressing issues. Which one moves you the most?
2021
Directed by Ali Tabrizi
About: Overfishing
After this poignant examination of the global fishing industry, sustainable fisheries and ocean destruction, you may never look at tuna salad the same way. Seaspiracy leaves a lasting impression.
Watch on Netflix.
2020
Directed by Alastair Fothergill, Jonathan Hughes, Keith Scholey
About: Conservation
Life on our Planet is David Attenborough’s ‘witness statement‘ for the environment. Tracing his 60-year career broadcasting and natural history career, he shows the steep decline in the planet’s health over his lifetime.
Watch on Netflix.
2014
Directed by Orlando von Einsiedel
About: Poaching
What happens when brave park rangers meet dangerous animal poachers? Virunga is a powerful look at the poaching industry and those trying to stop it every day.
Watch on Netflix.
2020
Directed by Renan Ozturk, Taylor Rees – a Tomorrow Unlocked film
About: Biodiversity
The Kuril Islands are one of the most inaccessible volcanic islands chains in the world, and they’re under threat from climate change. One man stands to protect one of nature’s last safe havens.
2010
Directed by Lucy Walker
About: Recycling
Not your average eco-documentary. New York-based artist Vik Muniz travels to the world’s largest garbage heap in his native Brazil. What he finds changes him and those around him forever.
Watch on Amazon.
2015
Directed by Jake Summer
About: Plastic
Plastic pollution is a severe issue, but what can we do about it? The Plastic Age demonstrates a use for the Great Pacific garbage patch: Bionic yarn. But what is it and how can it help?
2018
Directed by Miha Avguštin, Rožle Bregar and Matic Oblak
About: River conservation
Building 2,700 hydroelectric dams on Europe’s rivers might seem a good idea. So why is this kayaking group fighting it? Follow the paddling protesters from Slovenia to Albania as they join locals to oppose new dams.
These sobering but powerful glimpses at Earth under threat show people acting for change. Have we missed one? Share your recommendations with us on Facebook and Twitter.
Inspired to go one step further? Donate to the Kuril Islands preservation fund set up by marine biologist Vladimir, star of From Kurils With Love.
Could this beetle end water scarcity?
Our video picks: This World Water Day, Science Insider introduces nature's water-saving experts
Our video picks: This World Water Day, Science Insider introduces nature's water-saving experts
This World Water Day, we’re asking, how will we beat the world’s water crisis? Science Insider says one tiny beetle could be the answer.
In fighting climate change, nature could teach us our biggest lessons. Take this machine learning-based ocean microorganism preservation project, for instance. Now, according to Science Insider, one big (or small) source of inspiration could come from the Namib Desert Beetle. Why are scientists rushing to study its exoskeleton as a way to help overcome the water crisis?
Can ice and code preserve human culture?
Freethink meets the Arctic World Archive, archiving knowledge in ice
Freethink meets the Arctic World Archive, archiving knowledge in ice
Urban Sun - art to beat the pandemic
This art project explores how UVC light could clean coronavirus from public spaces
This art project explores how UVC light could clean coronavirus from public spaces
MIT engineers taught spinach to send emails
Watch how these nanotechnology-charged plants are communicating with humans
Watch how these nanotechnology-charged plants are communicating with humans
Can low-tech help forests survive?
Terraformation shows technology can help to transform nature
Terraformation shows technology can help to transform nature
Games could help develop better assistive tech
"My brain became part of the machine."
"My brain became part of the machine."
For disabled people, high-tech assistance systems are breaking barriers. Competitors in multi-sport championship Cybathlon are showing how these technologies are changing the game.
State-of-the-art ‘pilots’ are opening doors
It’s easy to take independence for granted, but for someone with a disability, a new piece of assistive technology that lets them perform an everyday task without help can never come soon enough.
To show the power of technological assistance systems (known to many as ‘pilots,’) every four years in Zürich, Switzerland, disabled people with software developers, engineers and neuroscientists use state-of-the-art assistance tech to compete in the multi-sport championship Cybathlon.
Of course, there are medals at stake. But Cybathlon exists to promote experimenting with assistive technologies to extend disabled people’s access to all parts of life. From using brain power to control avatars, to navigating obstacle courses with augmented limbs, Cybathlon wants to make sure we can all expect independence, regardless of impairment or injury.
Even Covid couldn’t stand in the way of Cybathlon 2020. Here’s how Cybathlon’s organizers and competing teams changed tack to deliver its most inclusive events yet.
Taking notes from nature
3 examples of scientists using biomimicry for human improvement
3 examples of scientists using biomimicry for human improvement
Humans are innovative but has it been done before? Learning from and mimicking nature for human designs is known as biomimicry. Find out how inspiring nature truly is when scientists utilise biomimicry in order to successfully create intelligent mechanisms:
What are some other examples of biomimicry? Share your favourites with us on Twitter and Facebook!
Taylor Rees: The story of the nature filmmaker
One of the most exciting nature filmmakers out there
One of the most exciting nature filmmakers out there
World Wildlife Day is a time to celebrate and raise awareness of the natural world and its value in our lives. From Kurils With Love is set in one of the most inaccessible volcanic island chains in the world. We meet Vladimir, a marine biologist, and warrior for the planet.
Renan Ozturk and the crew survey the devastation to wildlife after a volcanic eruption and reflect on what it means.
Go behind the scenes to learn how the film was made and the crew overcame technical challenges. With extra footage and commentary from the filmmakers.
Would you visit the Kuril Islands if you could? What’s the most beautiful nature spot you’ve ever visited? Share your wildlife stories with us on Twitter and Facebook!
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