Water is the single most important resource on this planet. There are also a number of large issues in water conservation, to name but a few:
- Toxic waste being released into waterways
- Overfishing
- Bottled water
- Environmental racism
Here are a few of the documentaries I have watched that have deepened my understanding of water conservation issues and strengthened my resolve that we need to do better.
RiverBlue
“There is a joke in China: they say you can predict the ‘it’ colour for the season by looking at the colour of the river.” Orsola De Castro, co-founder and creative director of Fashion Revolution.
The RiverBlue documentary is something of a household name in the sustainability world. The film explores the impact of the fashion industry on one of the planet’s most important resources: our rivers. RiverBlue takes a deep dive into the extraordinary pollution created by fashion and its impact on the planet and our fellow humans. Love or hate fashion, this is an absolute must-watch.
Artifishal
Patagonia are well known for their impactful environmental documentaries. Artifishal is no exception. The film investigates the relationship between people and rivers, specifically in the context of wild salmon and fish farms. Salmon is on the brink of extinction, and we must make significant changes
Tapped
The Tapped documentary highlights the issues around the control and ownership of water access. This is a huge issue given that by 2030, it is estimated that two thirds of the world will be without access to clean water.
The bottled water industry may seem to have a clean reputation, but on closer inspection, the reality is very different. From astronomical use of fossil fuels to stealing water from public areas. This documentary will change the way you see drinking water forever.
There’s Something in the Water
This 2019 documentary, directed by Ellen Page and Ian Daniel dives into environmental racism in Nova Scotia, Canada. ‘There’s Something in the Water’ looks at environmental damage and water pollution and it how it disproportionally affects black Canadians and first nation communities.
This documentary follows some truly inspiring people who work tirelessly to create change for their communities. If you don’t care about other people, “What do you get up for every day?” Louise questions poignantly.
So there you have it: some of the best documentaries out there about water conservation issues. These will give you a great understanding about some of the main issues we are currently facing.
Have you watched these films? we’d love to hear what you thought. What other documentaries would you recommend to someone wanting to get educated on water issues?
