Environmental Science Movies
A huge variety of commercial movies, documentaries, and other videos are available to supplement the environmental science curriculum. Each of the movies listed below I have either shown entirely, taken clips from, or given as a homework assignment.
Page 1
Environmental Ethics | Nature of Science | Populations and Species Interactions | Ecosystems
Page 2
Human Population | Food and Agriculture | Environmental Health
Page 3
Air Pollution | Climate Change | Water Pollution | Waste
Page 4
Fossil Fuels | Nuclear Energy | Renewable Energy
Climate Change
An Inconvenient Truth
Resources: Student worksheet
  |
Length: 94 minutes
Description: Based on a Powerpoint presentation on global warming given by former Vice President Al Gore. This documentary remains one of the best and most complete looks at the causes, consequences, and solutions behind global climate change. Gore gives a very convincing argument that a dramatic change is needed in our society to forestall a potential future disaster as the climate patterns of the entire Earth begin to shift. Visuals, such as the gradual receding glaciers and the forecast flooding of the coastal areas of the world, leave a lasting impression.
Lessons Learned
- Average global temperature is highly coorelated with carbon dioxide levels.
- Nine of the ten warmest years in recorded meteorological history have occured since 2000.
- The ocean is currently rising at a rate of about 3mm per year, endangering highly populated coastal areas.
How to Get
Water Pollution
Gasland
Resources: Student worksheet
  |
Length: 104 minutes
Description: This documentary from Josh Fox begins with a dilemma -- should he accept $100,000 to lease his family's land in rural northeastern Pennsylvania to a Cabot Oil and Gas? The drillers are planning on using fracking -- a technology that allows for the harvesting of natural gas embedded in shale bedrock deep below the water table. He begins by interviewing individuals in the town of Dimock, Pennsylvania, who have experienced a rash of side effects due to contamination of their water supply. His research ends up taking him all over the country as he learns the hidden consequences to this budding industry. This is a great film to show the intersection of energy consumption, air pollution, and water pollution.
Lessons Learned
- Hydraulic fracturing injects a proprietary mix of chemicals into the ground, allowing methane to escape.
- Natural gas drillers were given exceptions from all the major environmental laws in 2005.
- Groundwater is the single biggest source of freshwater for the United States, and is easily contaminated.
How to Get
Tapped
Resources: Student worksheet
 
|
Length: 76 minutes
Description: As bottled water has become an increasingly popular product, the strain placed upon local communities where this water is withdrawn has also reached a fever pitch. Weak local regulation allows companies such as Nestle to tap the groundwater supplies of rural communities without any regulation, even if they are in the midst of a drought. Additionally, the recycling rate of plastic water bottles is very poor. This leads to a great deal of non-degradable trash accumulating in the landfill, or even in the ocean.
Lessons Learned
- Bottled water has much less regulatory oversight than municipal tap water.
- Much of the bottled water sold in the United States is drawn from spring water in rural communities.
- Plastic packaging, including water bottles, makes up the majority of the Great Pacific Trash Vortex.
How to Get
Waste
Dirty Jobs: Chinatown Garbage Collector
Resources: N/A
 
|
Length: 15 minutes
Description: This segment of Dirty Jobs Season 1, episode 4, gives a tremendous insight into the world of trash collection, recycling, and composting. Mike Rowe begins the episode by taking part in a midnight trash pickup run through downtown San Francisco. He also has the opportunity to observe a recycling sort facility, and ends the segment with a trip to a commerical composter that turns city food waste into fertile compost!
Lessons Learned
- All trash cans in San Francisco must be individually picked up due to the lack of space in the streets.
- San Francisco has a recycling rate close to 50%, tops in the nation.
- Composted food waste is delivered to vineries all around California.
How to Get
