I’ll never forget the first time I joined a climate change protest in my local neighbourhood. A wave of urgency swept through me as I held up a sign that read, “Protect Our Home—It’s the Only One We’ve Got!” What struck me most wasn’t just the collective anger over corporate pollution or melting ice caps. Still, the sheer diversity of the crowd standing alongside me—families, retired teachers, drag artists in full regalia, students, and grandparents.
As someone who identifies as a bold non-binary activist from Mexico, now living in the United Kingdom, I’ve often advocated for LGBTQIA+ rights and racial justice. That day, I realised that environmental activism is inseparable from social justice movements. Essentially, the planet we’re trying to save is home to each of us—across every boundary of race, identity, and class.
That awakening also led me to discover what I like to call Eco-Critical Cinema: films that don’t just entertain but shine a light on the pivotal issues of climate change and ecological crisis. Some are searing documentaries filled with scientific data and intimate interviews; others are fictional or dramatized accounts that bring ecological collapse and policy failures into sharp relief. When done well, these films become catalysts—galvanising audiences to think differently, act more compassionately, and confront environmental injustices at their roots.
In the spirit of highlighting real-world efforts, I’ve selected eight films—some documentaries, some narrative features—that engage deeply with environmental activism. Each film reveals a different facet of our current ecological struggle and, crucially, what everyday people are doing to make a difference. As you read, I encourage you to think about the ways these stories intersect with social justice issues, including intersectionality around race, gender, sexuality, and class. Because much like the movements championed by queer activists throughout history, the movement for environmental justice thrives when diverse voices unite for a common cause.
1. An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
No discussion of modern climate change cinema would be complete without An Inconvenient Truth. Released in 2006, this Oscar-winning documentary features former US Vice President Al Gore presenting a slideshow that warns of rising global temperatures, melting ice caps, and intensifying storms. Although it’s been well over a decade since the film’s release, its message remains surprisingly prescient.
Despite being American-centric in its framing, An Inconvenient Truth succeeds at one crucial task: it initiates a broad, public conversation around environmental activism. Gore’s evidence-based approach and personal narrative—he references the trauma of losing his sister to lung cancer, partly to highlight how corporations often disavow responsibility for harmful products—illustrates that tackling corporate negligence is a marathon, not a sprint.
For those of us who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community, the film’s clarion call for political involvement resonates strongly. We know that policy changes happen when grassroots pressure meets the corridors of power. An Inconvenient Truth effectively invites each viewer to become a policy influencer—whether by voting, lobbying, or sharing resources in one’s own community. In doing so, it’s emblematic of the kind of “edu-tainment” that can spark real-world action.
2. Before the Flood (2016)
Produced by National Geographic and fronted by actor and environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio, Before the Flood walks a delicate line between a dire warning and a hopeful call to arms. Where An Inconvenient Truth largely introduced data, Before the Flood focuses more on solutions and the urgent necessity of global cooperation.
DiCaprio uses his platform to visit diverse communities: from sinking atolls in the South Pacific to the smog-choked streets of Beijing. One particularly poignant scene takes place in India, where local renewable energy projects aim to uplift entire villages by installing small-scale solar power, reducing their reliance on coal. The film shines a spotlight on intersectionality by juxtaposing Western industrial excess with developing nations striving for a balance between economic growth and environmental activism.
Having watched Before the Flood shortly after migrating to the UK, I found its emphasis on policy instruments—like carbon taxes and green energy subsidies—especially relevant. It reminded me that the fight for climate change legislation is no different from pushing for LGBTQIA+ rights: without policy backing, social awareness often struggles to achieve lasting structural impact. Essentially, activism demands both collective passion and institutional change.
3. Chasing Coral (2017)
Directed by Jeff Orlowski, Chasing Coral is a visually breathtaking documentary that zeroes in on coral reefs, sometimes called the “rainforests of the sea.” This film is a successor to Chasing Ice (2012), in which Orlowski documented disappearing glaciers. Here, the focus is on vibrant coral ecosystems and how climate change—especially warming ocean temperatures—leads to bleaching events that threaten their survival.
What makes Chasing Coral extraordinary is the emotional weight behind the underwater footage. Time-lapse cameras capture how quickly entire sections of reefs can go from riotous colour to ghostly white. The heartbreak of witnessing marine life lose its habitat parallels many social injustices: whether it’s displacement faced by climate refugees or the marginalisation of LGBTQIA+ communities in certain political climates, the film underscores how environmental harm radiates outward, affecting the health and livelihoods of all interconnected beings.
In typical Orlowski fashion, the documentary ends on a note that points to action and hope. Innovative reef restoration projects, policy changes aimed at curbing CO2 emissions, and community-driven volunteer programs all get their moment in the spotlight. It’s a testament that environmental activism thrives when we anchor it in scientific evidence, personal storytelling, and ethical accountability.
4. Don’t Look Up (2021)
Unlike many other titles on this list, Don’t Look Up is a satirical comedy-drama directed by Adam McKay. Released on Netflix, it uses the metaphor of an impending comet collision to comment on public and political indifference toward climate change—though the film’s storyline can arguably be read as a critique of any global crisis, from pandemics to biodiversity loss.
Don’t Look Up features an ensemble cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, playing scientists who discover a world-ending comet. Their mounting frustration as they try to warn an apathetic government, a click-hungry media, and a largely disinterested public underscores the difficulties activists often face when conveying urgent truths. Swap out “comet” for “rising sea levels,” and you have a biting allegory of how societies frequently fail to respond until disaster strikes.
For me, the comedic angle served as a double-edged sword: it’s laugh-out-loud funny, yet uncomfortably close to reality. In the same way that LGBTQIA+ activists have long battled misinformation and apathy, Don’t Look Up highlights how quickly facts can be drowned out by sensational headlines or polarised social media debates. Though satirical, the film encourages viewers to question societal complacency—and to remember that real solutions demand sustained collective effort.
5. I Am Greta (2020)
Focusing on Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, I Am Greta offers an intimate look into the rise of a teenage girl who galvanized millions through her Fridays for Future school strikes. Directed by Nathan Grossman, the film follows Thunberg’s journey—from her solitary protests outside the Swedish Parliament to her impassioned speeches at the United Nations.
In terms of intersectionality, I Am Greta reminds us that youth voices—and especially those of young women and non-binary activists—are too often dismissed in mainstream discourse. Thunberg’s neurodivergence (she has Asperger’s syndrome) becomes a unique strength, portrayed in the documentary as fuelling her unyielding focus on the science behind climate change.
For me, this was particularly resonant: as someone who often champions LGBTQIA+ youth and mental health advocacy, I see parallels in the way society can undervalue or belittle marginalised groups. Thunberg’s resolute stance emphasises that activism is not about seeking approval but about demanding accountability. Whether we’re fighting for trans-inclusive healthcare or zero-carbon policies, the moral is the same: real progress emerges when ordinary people dare to raise their voices, no matter how small they may feel.
6. 2040 (2019)
Directed by Australian filmmaker Damon Gameau, 2040 is a refreshing change of pace in the realm of climate change documentaries because it emphasises solutions over catastrophes. Gameau embarks on a global tour to explore technologies and social innovations that could help the world drastically reduce carbon emissions and nurture more equitable societies by the year 2040.
The film’s tone is distinctly celebratory and affirmative, aligning well with the ethos I hold dear as an unapologetic LGBTQIA+ advocate. In weaving together childlike wonder with credible scientific proposals, 2040 functions as a blueprint for a more sustainable future. Among the case studies are regenerative agriculture projects, decentralised solar grids in Bangladesh, and the potential of seaweed to reverse ocean acidification.
What sets 2040 apart is its narrative framing: it’s presented as a letter to Gameau’s young daughter, envisioning a better world she could inherit. That intergenerational perspective underscores something crucial in all forms of environmental activism—the choices we make today will determine the quality of life for future generations. And as with any social movement (be it feminism, racial justice, or LGBTQIA+ rights), that sense of shared destiny can galvanise communities into action.
7. Racing Extinction (2015)
From the same team that brought us The Cove—Louie Psihoyos and the Oceanic Preservation Society—Racing Extinction is a startling documentary about the ongoing mass extinction of wildlife tied to climate change, habitat destruction, and the illegal wildlife trade. Through hidden-camera investigations and high-tech imaging, the film exposes how our appetite for fossil fuels and certain animal products pushes countless species to the brink.
What resonated with me, as someone deeply involved in social justice work, is how Racing Extinction draws parallels between species extinction and the erasure of marginalised human communities. The film’s focus on the global supply chain invites a conversation about intersectionality—how corporate interests, governmental policies, and consumer habits converge to threaten life on Earth.
A particularly memorable scene involves projecting massive images of endangered animals onto iconic buildings around the world, including the Vatican. This visual activism evokes the same spirit I find at Pride marches or climate rallies: a fearless display of truths people often prefer to ignore. By elevating these issues in dramatic, public ways, Racing Extinction urges viewers to see the urgent moral imperative of acting on environmental activism—both for ourselves and for the myriad forms of life that share this planet.
8. David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)
Few voices are more synonymous with nature documentaries than Sir David Attenborough’s. At 93 years old during the film’s release, Attenborough provides what he calls his “witness statement” in David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet—reflecting on the profound changes he’s seen in biodiversity and ecosystems throughout his lifetime.
Throughout the documentary, Attenborough juxtaposes footage from his early career—when rainforests teemed with wildlife and coral reefs flourished—with the stark realities of today: deforestation, bleached reefs, and declining wildlife populations. This retrospective approach makes clear that climate change is not a distant threat but a present-day crisis unfolding in real time.
However, the film’s final section also offers tangible paths forward, highlighting rewilding projects, sustainable fishing practices, and renewable energy solutions. For activists of all stripes—be they LGBTQIA+ campaigners, anti-racist organisers, or environmental stewards—the take-home message is one of personal responsibility coupled with collective hope. Attenborough’s call to “rewild the world” underscores the synergy between environmental and social regeneration. When we ensure the planet’s health, we also pave the way for inclusive, thriving human communities.
Reflecting on Our Shared Futures and Eco-Critical Cinema
From the polarising humour of Don’t Look Up to the oceanic wonders of Chasing Coral, each of these films offers a window into a world grappling with intensifying climate change. They vary in tone—some stark and data-driven, others more lyrical or satirical—but all share one common objective: to spark environmental activism by stirring viewers’ hearts and minds.
As a bold non-binary writer and activist, I’ve witnessed how impactful storytelling can be in shifting public discourse—whether it’s about LGBTQIA+ rights, mental health, or systemic racism. When we shine a light on injustices, we also illuminate pathways for solution and solidarity. Much like the cross-border unity seen in global Pride marches, climate advocacy beckons us to stand together in defending our only home.
One powerful way these films illustrate intersectionality is by revealing how ecological harm often intersects with social inequities. Low-income and marginalised communities bear the brunt of rising sea levels, polluted water, and extreme weather events. Likewise, their voices are frequently sidelined in policy debates—mirroring the struggles of immigrant communities or transgender individuals seeking healthcare. By recognising these overlaps, we foster an inclusive form of environmental activism that champions justice for humans, animals, and ecosystems alike.
Yet, these films aren’t just about lamenting the planet’s decline; they are also about stoking the fires of hope and action. Whether we’re discussing the radical emissions cuts championed in Before the Flood, the local reef restoration efforts in Chasing Coral, or Attenborough’s plea for a global rewilding revolution, the emphasis consistently returns to what we can do. In each instance, everyday citizens—farmers, scientists, students, tech developers—take centre stage, reminding us that genuine change often starts at the grassroots level.
So, how do we integrate these cinematic lessons into our daily lives? We might reduce our carbon footprint, lobby local representatives for greener policies, or join community-led clean-up initiatives. For some of us, it may mean rethinking dietary habits, supporting businesses with sustainable practices, or harnessing social media to amplify crucial research. And let’s not forget the synergy with other social causes: forging alliances between climate groups and queer rights collectives can multiply our collective influence, showcasing the unstoppable power of unity in diversity.
Most importantly, each film underscores one unassailable truth: the clock is ticking. Whether we have five years or fifty, the window to mitigate catastrophic climate change is narrowing. However, as these cinematic journeys reveal, the story of our planet is still being written—and we hold the pen. Like the countless LGBTQIA+ campaigners, racial justice advocates, and feminist pioneers who refused to accept the status quo, we too can push back against ecological destruction. We can demand better from corporations, from our elected leaders, and ourselves.
Each of the eight films stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in the fight for a more sustainable, equitable world. They remind us that progress isn’t a monologue by scientists or politicians alone—it’s a collaborative chorus that invites every voice, every background, and every identity to sing in harmony for the Earth. Indeed, this is our shared home. If we harness the conviction found in these stories, who knows what new chapter we might write—a chapter defined not by apathy or despair, but by inclusive, unstoppable hope.
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