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Environmental Documentaries To Watch For Earth Day 2024

Animal IQ (2021): Featuring elephants, foxes, otters, and more, this new series from PBS Digital Studios and Nature takes a look at the intelligence of Earth's animals with a new episode every three weeks. In each installment, Trace Dominguez and Natalia Borrego talk to experts and conduct research to determine how and if animals can actually think.

Our Planet(2019): Unlike the BBC's beloved Planet Earth and Blue Planet series, Our Planet focuses directly on how each ecosystem featured is currently being threatened by climate change. One scene in particular has caused an appropriately dramatic reaction: a group of Russian walruses falling down a steep rock cliff to their deaths. Narrator Sir David Attenborough explains that receding ice levels have left fewer places for the animals to gather, highlighting just how devastating the warming of the planet has already become.

Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2014): Made by the same team who brought us 2017's controversial What the Health documentary,Cowspiracy is, on its surface, a look at the damaging environmental effects of the livestock industry. Like What the Health, much of the information is presented from a very pro-vegan perspective, and not a lot of balanced reporting is offered. Still, it can serve as a starting point to learn about how meat production uses more resources and contributes more to global greenhouse gas emissions than, say, a plant-based diet, and that may help us make more informed food choices.

Chasing Coral (2017): Coral reefs not only serve as a nurturing and essential environment to all ocean life, but also help protect coastlines from flooding during extreme weather events. Unfortunately, due to warming sea temperatures, overfishing, pollution, and other human activities, their vivid, beautiful ecosystems are facing rapid decline. Chasing Coral attempts to document this "coral bleaching" and the devastating economic and environmental effects it could have — as well as the wider problems it may represent. (photo via Netflix)

The Milk System (2017): Milk has always represented health, nutrients, and strong bones but The Milk System dives into how the system in question really operates. Speaking with farmers, dairy owners, scientists, and more, this Earth Day documentary examines the profits, responsibilities, and costs of this billion dollar industry.

A Plastic Ocean (2016): In the face of realizing its irreversible environmental effects, the world is slowly moving toward banning many single-use plastics. A Plastic Ocean starts out as a documentary on blue whales but quickly turns into a study on the devastating effects that plastic pollution has had in the lives of ocean animals, from the whales, to dolphins, to seals, and more. It's an eye-opening look at what our plastic use is doing to these creatures, and to the state of much of our own food supplies.

Kiss the Ground (2020): This full-length documentary, narrated by Woody Harrelson, looks at the way regenerative agriculture (which focuses on topsoil regeneration) has the potential to feed the world, replenish water supplies, and even balance our climate. Activists, scientists, farmers and politicians take part in this move towards saving the planet's topsoil.

Starting at the Source – Reducing Food Waste

According to Feeding America, 40% of all food in America is wasted. That means around 119 billion pounds of food is wasted annually, equating to around $408 billion literally thrown away. Aside from the economic costs, food waste generates harmful carbon and methane emissions that contribute to climate change.

Changing the narrative around food is the best way we can help shape our output of greenhouse gas emissions and food waste, according to Chris O’Brien, Executive Officer of Hungry Giant. There, he spearheads waste reduction methods for commercial businesses that divert food waste beyond traditional composting. Hungry Giant’s technologies biologically stabilize and dehydrate waste in larger volumes that get transformed into valuable material that works just like compost. TL;DR: They take large amounts of food waste and reduce them down to be used as compostable material.

“The discussion has to go back even further before you get to composting,” says O’Brien. “The discussion needs to be: ‘Let's reduce our waste wherever we can. Let's consume what we can consume as edible. Let's not look at the ends of a piece of fruit as disgusting.”

Chef and Founder of west~bourne, Camilla Marcus, abides by the same sentiment. If we change how we think about food scraps and adopt sustainable habits around dining, we’re doing more for the Earth.

“The same way when you buy an item of clothing, you ask, “What does this go with? Where can I wear it?” Adopt that same kind of mindset about food,” suggests Marcus. “Billions of tons of fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, grains, and dairy either never leave the farm, spoil before it’s purchased, or are thrown away in various environments, from grocery stores to our home kitchens. The good news is, we can do something about it — through composting.”

Exercising practices that extend the shelf life of food is essential to reducing food waste, according to Marcus. This step comes long before even considering composting, and can impact the amount of food waste you produce in the first place. She recommends storing foods (especially produce) properly, and brainstorming new ways to repurpose leftovers.

“In our home, we love revamping leftovers by creating a whole new dish with them, always saving vegetable scraps (like garlic skins and carrot tops) to use later. I like to call it 'playing jazz in the kitchen,' and even my three kiddos join in on the fun.”

Responsibly managing your own food waste helps keep even more trash out of landfills. We’ve lost around 1,800,000 acres of American land to landfills that simultaneously emit potent and harmful greenhouse gasses, so reducing the volume of waste that gets stored in landfills is elemental to aiding climate change.

“If you put food in the trash, then it contaminates potentially recyclable plastics, cardboards, and other products that get mixed with the food waste,” says O’Brien. “By having food mixed in, you're actually exponentially increasing trash to landfill.”

What is compost?

So now that you know about food waste, what even is compost?

The official definition of compost is: “decayed organic material used as a plant fertilizer.” This might not mean much, unless you know that compost consists of decomposable greens and browns.

Greens (such as fruit skins and coffee grounds) are nitrogen-rich materials that facilitate decomposition through heat. Browns (think dry leaves and twigs) are responsible for keeping the microorganisms that break down your compost alive. Moisture and aeration are crucial to a healthy compost pile.

“I think a lot of people think that you can take food scraps and make compost out of it,” says O’Brien. “People don't realize that traditional compost is a mixture of minerals, rocks and all sorts of stuff that absorb and balance the composition of the material to soak up leachates and absorb moisture.”

Traditional composting ranges from open-pile compost, to collections, to enclosed bins. But with advancing methods and technologies, composting now goes beyond tradition, says O’Brien. “When you move material away from the microbially active, traditional compost, it opens up opportunities for multiple reuse.”

Hungry Giant’s technologies are somewhat compost-adjacent, dehydrating and grinding waste material to reduce volume by 80-90% that results in a dry, stabilized, NPK-rich (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – all valuable for fertilizer) product. They collect waste from universities, cafeterias, and offices, but their work with cruise lines is most transformative.

O’Brien’s company addresses food waste from ships that might have otherwise been dumped overboard into sea (per MARPOL Annex V) or off-loaded. Because their product is so dry, it can even be burned on-board as secondary fuel for cruise ships, further combating wasteful practices that may occur elsewhere.

“I think to the average homeowner, the average person at home composting is this all-encompassing word,” says O’Brien. “But the truth is, there's actually a lot of variations in what you can do with organic material, and you just have to work out what solution is best for you.”

How do you compost?

To begin composting, it’s important to first evaluate your physical space and mental dedication to the practice. If you have a large, rural backyard, setting up an open-pile compost or a big compost turner makes more sense than if you reside in a small apartment with room for only a small enclosed compost bin.

Composting at home is no small feat, so being honest with yourself about your commitment to it is crucial in executing it correctly.

It’s also super important to do some deeper research before you get started. Though you think you know all there is to know about composting, there’s a lot of nuance to be aware about.

“Consumers have good intentions, but they don't know the differences between different terminologies,” says O’Brien. “They might see some packaging that says ‘100% biodegradable’ and go, ‘that's great!’ But ‘biodegradable’ means that it could break down now, or in 500 years.”

Now that you’ve gotten down to the nitty-gritty, Marcus offers some useful steps in starting at-home composting:

1. Identify your compost location: Choose a shady space in your yard and / or in your home to build your compost.
2. Build your compost pile: Start your pile with your browns, such as twigs or wood chips to absorb extra liquids, then add your brown and green materials (food scraps) in alternate layers. Aim to keep the layers to 1-2 inches thick, and use a 3:1 browns to greens ratio.
3. Maintain your compost: Your combined materials should have the consistency of a wrung-out sponge, but be careful not to get it too wet — to do so, add enough browns and turn your pile every 7 to 10 days. Monitor its moisture, odor, and temperature, and make adjustments as necessary. Your compost is ready when it’s dark brown — when you’ve got your earthy compost, you can use it to plant on a windowsill or your garden.

First-time composters may not have a smooth process, and that’s okay. Learning to adapt to the needs of your compost pile takes time.

“You can have a lot of things that throw balance out,” says O’Brien. “If you don't have enough browns, if you have too much citrus skins, too much moisture, if you don't turn it enough – there's a lot of things that can go wrong. But, I'm not trying to scare people away from it. If you have the space, the time, and the inclination, a little bit of research goes a long way.”

Traditional, at-home composting isn’t a fit for everyone. Finding solutions that work for you on an individual basis and educating yourself on the practice is a great way to start. So, if you don’t know the first thing about it, and don’t really see yourself going in on a full-blown compost project, you can participate in low-effort collection or drop-off services, typically run by cities or other organizations.

What matters most is reducing food waste, then doing what you can to reduce its presence in landfills.

“Keeping food out of landfills can help us fight climate change,” says Marcus. “Whether you live in an apartment in the city, or have a backyard in the countryside, there are different methods of composting that you can start any time.”

“When people are used to doing things a certain way, it's very hard to habitually change,” says O’Brien. “Individuals at home, They're the ones that drive change, you know, it's people power.”

Products That Help You Reduce Waste + Generate Compost

Stasher Starter Kit ($70)

Camilla Marcus loves Stasher Bags because they reduce plastic waste at home.

Another food storage tip she offers: "Keep potatoes, bananas and avocados away from the rest of your produce since they accelerate the ripening of everything around them. If you didn’t know, now you know."

Mason Jars ($12)

Using glass materials to store your food is superior to plastic tupperware because it eliminates the need to buy new storage solutions when the plastic ones wear out. You can also use these leak-proof jars to store homemade jams, jellies, and pickling projects.

ECOlunchbox Wet Bento Box ($40)

Every ECOlunchbox product is plastic-free and nontoxic, making them an excellent choice for food storage and even carrying your meals on the go. When closed, the containers remain tightly sealed so the contents will never go bad.

Bamboozle Bamboo Compost Bin ($40)

This lidded compost container is ideal for those living in smaller spaces who can't run their own compost. Use it to collect food scraps and other compostable materials before dropping them off at a local composting site. You definitely won't have to worry about odors, thanks to a charcoal filter lid that absorbs undesired smells. This piece is also crafted with biodegradable bamboo fibers for durability and low environmental impact once it's worn out.

Apple and Cranberry Cobbler

This egg-free Apple Cranberry Cobbler recipe is infused with vanilla, star anise, and optional bourbon, and served well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! (via Vanilla and Bean)

White Christmas Truffle Cake

Turn this fluffy sponge cake with white chocolate truffle topping into a stunning dessert centerpiece with edible pearls and a sweet pine decoration.(via Vikalinka)

Slice and Bake Christmas Cookies

These homemade slice and bake Christmas cookies are surprisingly easy to make, taste better than the ones in the tube, and are customizable so you can choose your favorite holiday shapes! (via Crowded Kitchen)

Chocolate Beet Cake

For a healthier spin on Christmas dessert, try this unique Chocolate Beet Cake. It's so moist and delicious, your guests won’t even know you used beets! (via Give Recipe)

Skinny Peppermint Mocha

Try a low-calorie version of this Starbucks favorite you can make at home! (via The Girl on Bloor)

Spiced Mascarpone Cranberry Cake

In charge of dessert this year? This stunning spiced cake will wow your guests in terms of taste and looks. It makes a delicious breakfast too! (via The Original Dish)

Christmas Frosting Board

What a fun idea! Swap your charcuterie for a dessert board where guests can pick and dip! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Vegan Chocolate Orange Cheesecake

This no-bake cheesecake, made with cashew and coconut, is so delicious and stunning they won't believe there's actually no cheese. (via The First Mess)

Vegan Mini Chocolate Pies with Pecan Caramel

Mini pies are the perfect Christmas dessert because they're hand-held and bite-sized, plus these feature chocolate, pecan, and caramel flavors! They're also vegan, which just makes us love them even more. (via Brit + Co)

The Best Sugar Cookies

These sugar cookies are so good, they don't really need any embellishments, but would it really be a Christmas party without reindeer cookies?! Save a few to leave out for Santa, too. (via Brit + Co)

Peppermint Macarons with White Chocolate Ganache

Find a new way to enjoy the minty flavor of peppermint with this macarons recipe. Covered in white chocolate, it's a nod to the traditional French pastry. (via Brit + Co)

Chocolate Pumpkin Tart with Gingersnap Crust

Move over white chocolate ganache, because this pumpkintart is ready for its turn in the spotlight. We love that the gingersnap crust helps balance the rich taste of dark chocolate. (via Brit + Co)

Puff Pastry Apple Roses

These roses look good enough to eat – because they are indeed edible! It's the one time you'll enjoy stopping to smell the roses. (via Brit + Co)

Sweet Chai Latte Cupcakes

Turn your favorite morning beverage into a sweet treat with these cupcakes. The flavors and spices make for the perfect holiday season dessert. (via Brit + Co)

Paleo Christmas Cookies

Cookies will never be totally healthy, but there are definitely ways that you can make them healthier. Check out this easy Christmas dessert that's paleo-friendly. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Apple Cake

If puff pastry apple roses feel like too much of a lite dessert, you'll want to keep this vegan apple cake recipe handy. (via Brit + Co)

Baked Hot Chocolate Doughnuts

We have a *major* sweet tooth for anything that involves gooey chocolate, so combining our love of doughnuts and hot chocolate sounds like a dream come true. (via Brit + Co)

Eggnog with Sugared Rosemary

Who says desserts have to be food? This sweet drink is a classic Christmas dessert, whether you're decorating the tree or curling up for a movie night. Our favorite detail is definitely the sugared rosemary. (via Brit + Co)

Oreo Red Velvet Cheesecake

If you love red velvet cake and you love cheesecake, then this is the dessert for you. The crust, cheesecake filling, and whipped cream come together beautifully so that every bite you take is better than the last! Plus, the Oreos on top are the perfect finishing touch. (via Brit + Co)

Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Cups

Take a break from traditional Christmas desserts and make candy recipes instead! Who knows, someone may request that you make frozen chocolate peanut butter yogurt cups for their birthday next year. (via Brit + Co)

Mini Gingerbread Cheesecakes

If regular slices of cheesecake are too rich for you, try these mini bite-sized options for your next get-together. They're a little bit spicy, a little bit sweet, and just the right amount of creamy. (via Brit + Co)

Even Santa Will Want A Bite Of These Christmas Desserts!

Peppermint Bark Cannoli

You just can’t get through the snowy season without indulging in some sweet and cool peppermint bark. No surprise, it's amazing in cannolis. (via Sugar and Cloth)

Mott's Gingerbread Cups

These lil cups are a fun, festive, and fabulous treat to make with and for your little ones — or for anyone else, frankly! Just look how cute they are! (via Mott's)

Rum and Eggnog Bundt Cake

We like big bundts and we cannot lie; a slice of this, we can't deny! Flavored with rum and eggnog, this luscious cake is slathered with a generous coating of eggnog cream cheese icing that will make your tastebuds sing. (via Liv for Cake)

Vegan Christmas Cookies Recipe

Packed with nutty almonds and made without butter, eggs or oil, these gluten-free cookies are actually delicious and easy to make. Powdered sugar for the win! (via Veggie Society)

Chocolate Molasses Crinkle Cookies

Serve up a plate of melt-in-your-mouth crinkle cookies with a rich chocolate flavor.(via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Black Forest Trifle Cake

Get creative with this trifle cake made with Black Forest layers. (via Woman Scribbles)

Coconut Balls

Make it snow with these easy and delicious coconut balls! (via The Fast Recipe)

Eggnog Cheesecake Brownies

With creamy eggnog cheesecake swirling into fudgy goodness, these brownies will make even eggnog naysayers fall in love with the soft and chewy bites. (via A Cookie Named Desire)

Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake

We know you’re thinking it because we’re thinking it — be still, my heart! This rich, minty, and chocolatey cake is dripping with glaze and topped with crushed candy canes. Can you say flavor bomb? (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Champagne Donuts With White Chocolate Glaze

One of the best things about donuts is they can be enjoyed as both a dessert *and* as a sweet breakfast option. The Champagne-infused dough and white chocolate glaze create the ultimate holiday treat. (via Sugar and Cloth)

Apple and Mincemeat Filo Wreath

This swoon-worthy recipe stuffs crisp apples and mincemeat into a flaky filo pastry, resulting in complete dessert heaven. Adorned with cranberries and drizzled with custard, this treat is guaranteed to be a hit at any holiday party. (via Domestic Gothess)

Mexican Wedding Cookies

These tiny snowballs are slightly salty, nutty, buttery, and downright delish. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Cranberry Dark Chocolate Biscotti

We hope you’re ready for additional caffeine, because you’ll be brewing an extra cup a day just for an excuse to dip and devour these beauties. Totally addicting, these munchies are packed with nuts and cranberries and drizzled with chocolate. (via Pinch of Yum)

Homemade Marshmallows

Storebought marshmallows will never taste the same after you make these. Dip them in chocolate or add them to your hot cocoa for a truly decadent treat. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Eggnog Panna Cotta with Spiked Cranberry Sauce

Silky smooth panna cotta may seem like a summery dessert, but when made with eggnog and topped with orange liqueur-spiked cranberry sauce, it's completely festive. (via Sprinkle Bakes)

You Won't Want To Share These Delicious Christmas Desserts

White Christmas Sparkle Cake

If you prefer snowflakes and twinkly lights to bright red and green decorations, you'll love this fluffy vanilla almond cake with cream cheese frosting. (via How Sweet Eats)

You Won't Believe How Tasty These Christmas Desserts Are

Meringue Christmas Wreath Cake

But if you do love colorful decorations, opt for this wreath cake, decked out with nonpareils and candy canes. (via Sprinkle Bakes)

Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Instead of rolling out dough to make individual cookies, bake up these bars, and have fun making your own sprinkle design on top. (via Averie Cooks)

Marmalade Thumbprint Cookies

It truly isn’t the holidays without some jam-filled thumbprint cookies to munch on. Though a berry jam is most commonly used, the choice of this orange jam is brilliant. (via The View From Great Island)

Christmas Tree Mousse Cups

You don't have to be an artist to make an adorable tree-shaped dollop of mousse in these chocolate cups. (via My Life Cookbook)

Peppermint Cream Puffs

Bite-size cream puffs are the ideal treat, and with a light peppermint ganache and festive sprinkles, they're holiday-ready. (via Best Friends for Frosting)

Chocolate Peppermint Mousse

We love how fluffy mousse is, and this Christmas dessert (which only needs four ingredients, FYI!!) mixes in peppermint extract for the perfect seasonal flavor. Add some crushed candy canes on top for an extra cute detail. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Funfetti Christmas Cake Roll

Don't be intimidated by the cylindrical shape; this colorful cake is both easy to bake and easy to roll up while hot. (via Passion for Savings)

Italian Pear Cranberry Tart

If the cranberry sauce at your Thanksgiving dinner didn’t satisfy your cranberry needs, this festive tart will. Fresh cranberries are piled into a shortbread crust over a luscious layer of almond cream, and it’s kind of the best thing ever. (via Just a Little Bit of Bacon)

Viennese Crescent Cookies

Popular in Austria, these melt-in-your-mouth Christmas cookies are a simple blend of hazelnuts, butter, and powdered sugar. (via Leite's Culinaria)

We'd Recommend These Christmas Desserts To Everyone

Mincemeat, Marzipan, and Apple Bread Wreath

Filled with mincemeat, marzipan, and apricot jam, this impressive buttery wreath is packed with flavor. And since it's fruity, you can get away with eating it for breakfast. (via Domestic Gothess)

Sugar Cookie Chocolate Crème Brûlée

Have more Christmas cookies than you know what to do with? Use them to top these velvety, chocolate-rich crème brûlées. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Gingerbread Bundt Cake

If you want to get real fancy, haul out your bundt cake pan and try this recipe. The patterned cake looks even more impressive when laden with a shiny glaze. (via The View From Great Island)

Slice and Bake Heart Cookies

These heart-shaped cookies are so much easier to make than you'd think. Impress your Christmas guests with a bout of sugar cookies! (via Crowded Kitchen)

Easy Puppy Chow Recipe

You probably already have everything you need for this DIY dessert recipe: peanut butter (or another nut butter), chocolate chips, Chex cereal, butter, and powdered sugar. The red and green candies are just a bonus! (via Brit + Co)

Tahini Brownies

If you can't handle full-on sweetness, try these brownies that mix in some tahini for a nutty flavor addition. The flaky salt on top adds an edge that you do not want to miss out on. (via Forks and Foliage)

Vegan Peanut Butter Blossoms

Is there a better duo than chocolate and peanut butter? These blossoms feature creamy peanut butter and dark chocolate chips for a rich, smooth take on the classic combo. (via Rachel Mansfield)

Olive Oil Orange Cake

This citrusy, just slightly olive-oily cake will brighten up your winter diet, and the touch of Grand Marnier makes it taste extra-elegant. (via Averie Cooks)

Hazelnut Shortbread with Salted Ganache Sandwich Cookies

Okay, regular Oreos. We raise you one with these uniquely delicious (and super festive!) homemade sandwich cookies! (via Vanilla and Bean)

Sugar Dusted Donut Christmas Tree by Chef Genevieve LaMonaca

For this delicious Christmas dessert, roll 60 (3lbs) white donut holes in 2.25oz green sugar sprinkles, then cover a 5.5 x 13.5-inch foam cone in plastic wrap. Insert your toothpicks (you'll need 60) into the foam, then push donut hole on the toothpick. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Add 1/2 cup peanut M&M’s to fill holes to resemble Christmas ornaments. Top with gold star cupcake topper. Cover with saran wrap until ready to use. Make up to 3 days ahead of time!

Cookies and Milk Shot Glass Dessert

Made in a shot glass, you can make this cookie dessert boozy or kid-friendly. It's play on Santa's milk and cookies, and a cute way to share with friends. (via Clean Cuisine)

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Chocolate bark makes the perfect gift for everyone on your list. (via Hello Little Home)

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

Try this peppermint twist on the Hershey's Kiss thumbprint cookies. (via This Wife Cooks)