5 Netflix documentaries that will inspire you to live sustainably
Buying second-hand, transforming old into new and eating local products: we are increasingly trying to be committed to the environment. That is necessary because excessive buying and eating non-locally grown food (often while we don't know how it's produced) are only some of the things that have a bad impact on our environment. We picked out five Netflix documentaries to inspire you for better buying habits and sustainable life.
Article by Giulia Latinne, headerpicture by Ash Valiente
'BROKEN' (2019): FOUR DARK COMPANY SECRETS THAT BADLY INFLUENCE OUR LIVES
Sustainable living starts with our own buying behavior. But even if you think you are doing well for the environment, large companies often mislead us. The American documentary series 'Broken' focuses on this deception and reveals four dark secrets: life-threatening counterfeit cosmetics, E-cigarettes attracting teenagers, dangerously cheap furniture and not so recyclable plastic. In fact, the documentary states that only 9% of all the plastic ever made, has been recycled. Want to become more aware of what exactly you are buying? Then this documentary is a must-see!
'ROTTEN' (2019): HOW LUXURY PRODUCTS ARE A SOURCE OF POVERTY AND SLAVERY
Wine, sugar, chocolate, and avocados: we are crazy about these products, but we have no idea how much misery the making process brings along. The second season of 'Rotten' will open your eyes. No less than 5 billion kilos of avocados are consumed worldwide every year, while the fruits suck the water out of Chile: 1 kilo of avocados requires 2000 liters of water. French winegrowers are fighting against cheap wine imports from China. Farmers in sugar and chocolate companies are struggling with a wage of only 325 Mexican pesos (or less than 16 euros) per week. Some farmers never receive their promised wages. We may not want to admit it, but 'Rotten' shows us that many luxury products are not sustainable but a source of poverty and modern slavery of farmers.
'MINIMALISM: A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE IMPORTANT THINGS' (2016): FROM MUCH-OWNED BUSINESSMEN TO SATISFIED MINIMALISTS
When we discover so many bad things about our products, you might want to change something. Americans Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus show us one of the ways in 'Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things'. They used to think that buying would make them happy. However, they learned their lesson by changing from businessmen who own anything they want into minimalists. In the documentary, we follow the two minimalists explaining to people that excessive buying won't make them happy. And that there is another, more sustainable way to live.
'INSIDE BILL'S BRAIN: DECODING BILL GATES' (2019): THE FACE OF MICROSOFT IN SEARCH OF SUSTAINABILITY
He is the face of Microsoft, but also very concerned about our environment: Bill Gates. 'Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates' brings us along with Gates on his mission. He tries to find sustainable solutions for the poor sanitation of developing countries, polluting nuclear energy, and the groaning climate. But what about Gates pretending to be greener than he really is, or doing greenwashing? Although Gates took over the title of richest man again from Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos last year, he shows that he is trying to avoid this. According to Vox, the face of Microsoft argued this year again for higher taxes for the rich, including himself.
'TINY HOUSE NATION' (2019): EXCHANGING BIG HOUSES FOR A SMALL FOOTPRINT
Talking about sustainable living, 'Tiny House Nation' shows you an alternative to a large house. In this reality show, presenters and home builders Zack Giffin and John Weisbarth help American families transition to a 'tiny' lifestyle. Although it may not sound like 'easy life' to everyone, a tiny house is not uncomfortably small. Giffin and Weisbarth even manage to fit a piano in the new living space of a songwriter and his girlfriend. Want to reduce your economic footprint? Then a 'Tiny House Nation' might bring you a step closer!
Looking for more Netflix recommendations? Here are five sex-positive series that crush sexual health taboos.
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