Earth Day 2021: 5 films to watch, podcasts to listen to, climate activists to follow and things you can do
- It’s not all hopeless! See what you can do to help the environment and fight climate change
- Learn where to recycle in Hong Kong and see how you can reduce your carbon footprint
These podcasts, movies, and other resources will help you learn more about how you can save the planet.Do you see the effects of climate change and feel like you’re the only one who cares? Or do you see people talking about it but have no clue why you should care? We’ve put together a list of things to do that may help you feel less alone while learning about climate action around the globe.
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 every year. Although this year’s event will again be a virtual celebration, its mission for the past 51 years of inspiring the environmental movement worldwide is still imperative and relevant.
Would a plastic bottle collection scheme encourage Hong Kong to recycle?
Five films to watch if you’ve already seen A Plastic Ocean and Chasing Coral
Anote’s Ark – Kiribati, a Pacific Island nation, will be one of the first to disappear underwater due to rising sea levels. The film focuses on the then president as he tries to get the world to pay attention to the threat.
David Attenborough: A Life on our Planet – The famous natural historian explores the environmental changes he’s seen in his 94-year lifetime, while highlighting ways to make our planet more stable.
The Future of Meat (Season 2, episode 8 of Explained by Vox) – The 18-minute video uses graphics and interviews to explain how eating meat contributes to climate change.
Eating a more plant-based diet is one easy way to be more eco-friendly.
Honeyland – This film about a woman beekeeper in Macedonia offers an amazing message about conservation amid cultural and climate change.
Islands of Faith – In Indonesia, seven diverse communities work together to protect the environment.
7 endangered species in Hong Kong
Five podcasts to listen to before heading to the next beach clean-up
Costing the Earth – A BBC podcast about how the environment is reacting to humanity’s actions, from wet wipes to plastic rubbish.
The Crisis – A Vice News podcast that hooks listeners with a tale about environmental crimes involving fossil fuels. (This podcast contains a few descriptions of violence.)
Inherited – Young people talk about their role in the climate movement, discussing issues such as mental health amid the dangers posed by global warming, and finding the power to be able to do something instead of drowning in despair.
Are you eating a threatened species of fish?
Mothers of Invention – A former Irish president teams up with a New York City comedian to talk about women around the world who are crafting powerful climate solutions.
Voice of the Youth – From Fridays for Future Digital, youth activists speak about what they are doing in their parts of the world to protect our planet.
Students take to the streets to protest as part of the Fridays for Future movement.
Five things you can do in Hong Kong besides buying bamboo straws and reusable totes
Earn money while learning how to recycle properly at a GREEN @ COMMUNITY recycling store or reverse vending machine. Find your nearest location on the Environmental Protection Department’s website.
If you’re likely to order more food than you’ll eat at a restaurant, bring your own takeaway containers. A collapsible silicone container fits easily in your reusable tote.
Hong Kong aims to stop people from buying petrol cars by 2035
Download the Water Refill Map app to find spots in Hong Kong to refill your reusable water bottle.
Download the Earth Hero: Climate Change app, which tracks your carbon footprint and suggests steps to take for climate action.
Get involved with an environmental organisation at school or in the community and work towards bigger improvements for the city.
Reusable water bottles and coffee cups are a good way to cut down on plastic waste.
Five young global climate activists to follow (not just Greta!) on Instagram
Artemisa Barbosa Ribeiro, 22 (São João das Missões, Brazil)
@artemisa_xakriaba
An indigenous member of the Xakriabá tribe, Artemisa has been protesting against her government’s inaction as her ancestral home in the Amazon rainforest is being turned into a desert.
Elizabeth Wanjuri Wathuti, 25 (Nairobi, Kenya)
@lizwathuti
Elizabeth has mobilised young people from across Africa to become more aware of environmental issues. She has also been campaigning for the Kenyan government to stop deforestation and reject fossil fuels.
Krishna Ariola, 22 (Negros Occidental, Philippines)
@krishnaariola
Krishna leads a youth climate activism group, Youth 4 Climate Hope (Y4CH), which is fighting to keep their province coal-free, while investing in renewable energy.
Licypriya Kangujam, 9 (Manipur, India)
@licypriyakangujam
Licypriya has urged her government to make climate education compulsory in all schools, pass a strong climate change law, and plant more trees.
Xiye Bastida Patrick, 19 (Toluca, Mexico)
@xiyebeara
An indigenous member of Mexico’s Otomi-Toltec Nation, Xiye says indigenous people have been looking after the Earth for thousands of years.