At XPRIZE, we believe that taking care of the environment isn’t just a good thing to do, it’s the right thing to do for the benefit of all humanity. To offer some future-positive inspiration this Earth Day, we compiled our very own list of must-watch films, required readings, the best sounds, environmentally-friendly recipes, and climate actions worth taking now to help us get thinking about our role in being good stewards of our planet.
TEN MOVIES TO VIEW ON EARTH DAY
50. Manufactured Landscapes (2006)
Available to rent on Amazon Prime
Both disheartening and motivating, this 2006 doc beats the test of time as it looks at “the landscapes that we change, that we disrupt, in the pursuit of progress.
49. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Available to rent on Amazon Prime and YouTube
“The one with the whales,” is the most well-received original Star Trek by mass audiences, and the unlikely plot of needing to transport whales to the future to save humanity will leave a warm, future-positive feeling by the end.
48. Chasing Ice (2012)
Available to rent on Amazon Prime
Climate change skeptic James Balog could not comprehend the science behind global warming. So, Balog takes it upon himself to chronicle the evolution in real-time. Chasing Ice is a fascinating example of how to turn skeptics into believers.
47. Princess Mononoke (1997)
Available to rent on Amazon Prime and YouTube
This film artfully conveys themes like environmentalism and anti-war through a fantastical lens. Although it is not scientific in nature, the film will inspire thoughts about how human actions impact the environments we inhabit.
46. Children of Men (2006)
Available to watch on Hulu
A dystopian set in the not-so-distant future that paints a harrowing picture of humanity at the beginning, but humanity’s ability to overcome when things are at their most bleak rings true in Alfonso Cuarón’s masterpiece.
45. Plizzanet Earth (2014)
Available to watch on YouTube
This recommendation completely falls on the entertainment side of the balance scale, but who couldn’t use a laugh right now? Snoop Dogg narrating nature video clips? Enough said.
44. A Plastic Ocean (2016)
Available to watch on Netflix
What began as a story about blue whale migration, the film shifts and dives into the tragic impact plastic debris is having on Earth’s oceans, but what separates A Plastic Ocean is the solutions presented to reduce the impact of plastics on the environment.
43. Planet Earth (2006) and Planet Earth II (2016)
Available to rent on Amazon
The pinnacle of nature documentaries, no Earth Day viewing list would be complete without a mention of the series that mass popularized documentaries in the modern era, which captures nature in ways never seen before.
42. Baraka (1993)
Available to rent on Amazon Prime and YouTube
No narrative or voice-over, Baraka explores themes of natural events, life, human activities and technological phenomena in 24 countries on six continents over a 14-month period with jaw-dropping footage, unlike any documentary ever.
41. The Martian (2015)
Available to rent on Amazon and YouTube
The Martian does a better job than almost any blockbuster in history at sticking with the science. Based on the novel by Andy Weir, a member of the XPRIZE Sci-Fi Advisory Council, The Martian perfectly captures the culture of science, the possibility of food circularity in space, and so much more. The Martian has the perfect balance of informative and entertainment for the 50th Earth Day.
TEN THINGS TO LISTEN TO ON EARTH DAY
40. The Macaulay Library
Available to listen to on MacaulayLibrary.org
Lose yourself in the sprawling Macaulay audio library, which features recordings from an astonishing 86% of the world’s bird population.
39. Mongabay Newscast
Available to listen to on Apple, Android, and Google Podcasts
From nature’s frontlines, the Mongabay Newscast delivers the latest environmental news and inspiration, featuring the world’s topical experts to provide deeper analysis.
38. In Defense of Plants Podcast
Available to listen to on Apple and YouTube
Plants are everything. They are also incredibly interesting. From the smallest duckweed to the tallest redwood, the botanical world is full of wonder. Listen to this podcast celebrating everything botany.
37. BBC Earth Podcast
Available to listen to on Apple and Spotify
Expect a dose of fascinating science, ecological insight, and explanations of why the world – in its infinite variety – is as we find it. From the deepest caves in the world to the very edge of space, the BBC Earth podcast transports you on an awe-inspiring journey in sound.
36. Scienceish
Available to listen to on Apple
The hilarious Rick Edwards and Dr. Michael Brooks, editor at large of the New Scientist, are your irrepressible hosts for the Scienceish podcast with the strapline “the peculiar science behind the movies”.
35. Reversing Climate Change Podcast with Nori
Available to listen to on Apple and Google Play
The title is self-explanatory, but the topics are not so simple. Nori brings together people and organizations to talk about one of the world’s most pressing issues.
34. Nature Sounds Playlists on Spotify
Available to listen to on Spotify
Whether you need a relaxing playlist of the ocean waves or trees rustling in the breeze to help you fall asleep, or for some calming meditation ambiance, here is a handful of nature-based playlists on Spotify.
33. World Ocean Radio
Available to listen to on Apple
Quick and digestible. World Ocean Radio is a weekly series of five-minute audio essays that will keep you in the know on all things ocean.
32. 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter
Available to listen to on Apple and Spotify
Inspiring, fascinating, binge-able. It’s shocking to learn how mother nature served as inspiration for different innovations.
31. Listen to Your World
Available to listen to outside
Whether it’s your balcony, patio, neighborhood park, or nearby trail, make some time for fresh air, take in the world around you, and listen to the sounds of nature.
TEN RECIPES TO RECREATE ON EARTH DAY
30. Edible Cookie Dough
This raw and egg-free cookie dough is simple to make, plant-based, and climate-friendly. Enjoy without guilt.
29. Beans and Rice
Known for being one of the most frugal and versatile meals available, beans and rice are also low-impact. Move past the precooked cans and bags with this 25-minute recipe.
28. Black Bean Burgers
Microwaving a veggie patty is easy, but with a little extra work, this burger recipe is packed with unforgettable flavor and only takes 40 minutes.
27. Peanut Butter & Jelly Macarons
What happens when you combine two comfort food favorites? This recipe, featuring plant-based macarons flavored by the childhood classic duo, PB&J.
26. Takeout-Style Sesame Noodles
If you miss takeout, look no further than this dish, which is based on traditional Chinese food and incredibly easy to make. Plus, most of the ingredients will likely already be stocked in the pantry!
25. Green Bean Casserole
Celebrate the holiday season whenever with this sustainable version of the holiday favorite.
24. Cauliflower Adobo
In the Philippines, adobo is generally made with chicken or pork, but in this eco-friendly alternative, cauliflower is the main course.
23. One-Pot Turmeric Coconut Rice with Greens
For a dinner that packs a punch, consult the recipe for this dish, which contains rich coconut milk and flavorful black pepper. Add a bit of saffron if you’re feeling dangerous.
22. Mano de Chango
When bartender Kim Stodel of Los Angeles-based Providence created the “monkey hand”, he sought to bring the restaurant’s mission of low-carbon cooking to Happy Hour. He has kindly provided a recipe so that you can enjoy this climate-friendly cocktail at home.
21. 1-Bowl Chocolate Cake
Looking for comfort food? Make this super sweet and sustainable chocolate cake in under an hour — plant-based buttercream frosting included.
TEN BOOKS TO READ ON EARTH DAY
20. How to Give Up Plastic
Quick reminder, plastics take 450 years to fully decompose. Luckily, McCollum empowers the reader with practical, straightforward advice to break free of the trillion-dollar industry and live a better life.
19. The Lorax
Likely the first book most people ever read discussing environmental issues, without even knowing it. Written over 40 years ago, many of the themes are still relevant today.
18. HERE: Poems for the Planet
Edited By Elizabeth J. Coleman
Don’t trust us? How about the Dalai Lama? “This book, HERE: Poems for the Planet, contains many beautiful, generous poems and ideas for action. It is my heartfelt hope that they will inspire readers who ask themselves, 'But what can I do?”
17. Ecotopia
The New York Times wrote an article labeling Ecotopia as ‘The Book That Predicted Portland.’ Callenbach created a utopia that felt ascertainable, resulting in the book’s massive cult following.
16. City of Pearl
The essential sci-fi environmental series. An award-winning, six-part interstellar saga where the key to survival is ecological balance.
15. A Walk in the Woods
A witty autobiography that will draw laughter, then inspire you to hike in the woods immediately after the last page.
14. Other Minds
This book will challenge your preconceptions of intelligence, explaining how octopuses, squids, and nautiluses are the most intelligent aliens humanity will ever discover.
13. The Overstory
A 2019 Pulizter Winning Novel that provides a refreshingly unique perspective on humanity, as told from the perspective of the giant Redwoods.
12. Never Cry Wolf
A gripping first-person narrative that is credited with changing the perception of wolves in the arctic, spurring a rash of letters from concerned Canadians hoping to protect the vulnerable species.
11. The Better World Shopping Guide #7: Every Dollar Makes a Difference
15 years of research packed into a pocket-size handbook, turning everyday decisions into tools to improve the world.
TEN CLIMATE ACTIONS TO START TAKING IMMEDIATELY
10. Stop Pre-rinsing Your Dishes
Dishwashers are powerful and use less energy and water than traditional hand-washing techniques. So if you have one, save yourself some time and let the dishwasher do the work.
9. Low Carbon Commuting
Transportation is responsible for 26% of the United States’ carbon footprint, with the average passenger vehicle emitting 4.6 tons of CO2 per year. After the quarantine ends, consider commuting by bike or public transit. For those afraid to work up a sweat on the way to work, E-bikes are a great option.
8. Turn Down the Heat
Dialing the thermostat back one or two degrees will go a long way. 36% of home energy comes from heating. Save money and the environment at the same time
7. Get Involved In Your Local Community
Vote! But also, consider joining a local environmental group that is actively working to make the community greener and more sustainable.
6. Invest in Green Oriented Funds
If you have retirement savings or other financial investments, find out about the sustainability record of companies you invest your money in. Do some research and find out if solution-driven companies are right for you.
5. Buy Products Made of Recycled CO2
Companies are literally creating products out of thin air. Need a new drink to add to the bar collection? The award-winning Air Co. vodka is a nice addition. Other products include watches, pens, coasters, and more.
4. Think Twice Before Throwing Out Compostable Waste
Keeping organic waste from landfills will greatly reduce methane emissions that contribute to global warming. Start composting organic waste to live in a more sustainable way.
3. Eat Your Veggies
Livestock is responsible for an alarming amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Baby steps are better than nothing, test out a ‘Meatless Monday’ to begin exploring how more vegetables could fit into your regular diet.
2. Use Big Electronics Late In the Evening
Demand for electricity sharply ramps up in the afternoon and early evening as people return home from work. By pushing some of these energy-intensive activities to the late evening, when the load eases, the strain on the grid is reduced, which reduces the need for emissions-heavy energy sources to be burning all day and night.
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