Television series are a powerful medium to explore complex issues like climate change. With the growing interest in environmental sustainability, many TV series now address the effects of global warming, environmental degradation, and the need for action. From documentaries to dramas, these shows can educate, inspire, and ignite conversations about the future of our planet. Here’s a list of the best TV series about climate change that delve into these pressing topics.
1. Our Planet (2019)
- Genre: Documentary
- Platform: Netflix
- Why it matters: Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, Our Planet showcases the beauty of Earth’s ecosystems while also highlighting the threats posed by climate change. Each episode is a stunning exploration of habitats across the globe, from oceans to forests, with a focus on how climate change affects the wildlife and environments depicted.
- Key message: The urgency of protecting biodiversity and taking action to prevent further climate damage.
2. Years of Living Dangerously (2014-2016)
- Genre: Documentary
- Platform: Amazon Prime, National Geographic
- Why it matters: Featuring high-profile actors and journalists such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jessica Alba, and Harrison Ford, Years of Living Dangerously travels the world to investigate how climate change is affecting people and ecosystems. The show dives deep into issues like deforestation, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events.
- Key message: Personal stories and global perspectives on how climate change impacts communities worldwide.
3. Planet Earth II (2016)
- Genre: Documentary
- Platform: BBC, Amazon Prime
- Why it matters: While not exclusively about climate change, Planet Earth II features breathtaking footage of Earth’s wildlife and landscapes, while subtly addressing the changing climate’s impact on various species. Narrated by David Attenborough, the series is an incredible reminder of what we stand to lose if we fail to act on environmental issues.
- Key message: The fragile beauty of nature and the growing environmental challenges posed by climate change.
4. The 100 (2014-2020)
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama
- Platform: The CW, Netflix
- Why it matters: In this post-apocalyptic drama, Earth becomes uninhabitable due to environmental destruction, forcing humans to live in space. The 100 raises questions about survival, human impact on the environment, and what happens when we push the planet beyond its limits.
- Key message: The consequences of environmental degradation and the importance of sustainable living.
5. The Island with Bear Grylls: Climate Change Special (2021)
- Genre: Reality, Adventure
- Platform: Channel 4
- Why it matters: In this special series, survival expert Bear Grylls challenges a group of people to survive on a remote island while dealing with extreme weather conditions caused by climate change. The series highlights the real-life impacts of climate change and how they can affect survival in the wild.
- Key message: The growing effects of climate change on natural environments and human adaptability.
6. Extrapolations (2022)
- Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
- Platform: Apple TV+
- Why it matters: Extrapolations is an upcoming anthology series that focuses on how climate change will affect the future of humanity. Each episode explores a different story from around the world, showing how global warming reshapes our lives and societies.
- Key message: The long-term consequences of inaction on climate change and how it could reshape the future.
7. Rotten (2018-2020)
- Genre: Documentary
- Platform: Netflix
- Why it matters: Rotten explores the food industry and how it contributes to environmental destruction and climate change. Each episode focuses on different aspects of the food supply chain, such as water scarcity, deforestation, and the carbon footprint of certain foods.
- Key message: The environmental impact of food production and the urgent need for sustainable practices in the global food industry.
8. Brave New World (2020)
- Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
- Platform: Peacock
- Why it matters: Based on the classic novel by Aldous Huxley, Brave New World presents a dystopian future where technology and consumerism have completely taken over, with the environment suffering as a result. While not directly focused on climate change, the series critiques the unsustainable path humanity is on.
- Key message: The dangers of unchecked technological advancement and the impact on the environment.
9. The Age of Nature (2020)
- Genre: Documentary
- Platform: PBS
- Why it matters: The Age of Nature offers a hopeful look at how people around the world are working to restore ecosystems and mitigate the effects of climate change. The series features stories of rewilding, conservation, and the fight to bring balance back to nature.
- Key message: The importance of restoring nature to combat climate change and create a sustainable future.
10. Snowpiercer (2020-present)
- Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
- Platform: TNT, Netflix
- Why it matters: Set in a post-apocalyptic world where the planet has frozen over due to a failed climate experiment, Snowpiercer explores the social and environmental consequences of climate change. The series follows a group of survivors living on a train that endlessly circles the frozen Earth.
- Key message: The potential catastrophic effects of climate change and the class disparities it can exacerbate.
Conclusion: TV Shows That Spark Climate Awareness
These TV series about climate change provide a mix of educational, thought-provoking, and thrilling content. Whether you’re looking for hard-hitting documentaries or engaging dramas, these shows highlight the urgency of the climate crisis and offer powerful messages about the importance of action. Watching these series can help raise awareness, inspire solutions, and spark conversations about how we can all contribute to a healthier planet.
FAQ
Q1: Can TV shows about climate change really make a difference? Yes, by raising awareness, educating audiences, and fostering conversations, TV shows can play a crucial role in inspiring action and changing attitudes toward climate change.
Q2: Which TV series offers the most factual information about climate change? Documentaries like Our Planet and Years of Living Dangerously provide factual, science-backed information about climate change and its global impact.
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