What’s a movie without a message? We round up some of our favorite eco themed movies available online today.

Warmer weather means big movie theater blockbusters are definitely coming at you (in 3D).  They’re fun of course, and sometimes even quite inspiring (not just because Robert Downey Jr. is slightly hot in his glowing chest Iron Man costume). But inevitably, we can only suspend disbelief for so long before the reality of our fast-paced world reminds us that there’s much to be done to make it all it can be.

And just like films of fiction and fantasy can entertain and inspire us, so too can those that use the creative medium to show us truth and help us to create change. These eco-focused films are some of the best of the best that can be viewed around the web without having to rent a DVD or have one shipped to you. Most are available on Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime unless otherwise noted.

1. Botany of Desire: Join journalist Michael Pollan as he explores how certain plants have evolved with us over time and how this relationship has changed. It gives perspective on  just how amazing nature really is. It inspires more respect for the plant world and our place in it.

2. The Cove: It won an Oscar nomination and captured the hearts of millions with its tale of unthinkable dolphin slaughters in Japan. The thrilling direction will have you at the edge of your seat wanting to leap right into the ocean to help save these majestic creatures.

3. Cave of Forgotten Dreams: What’s so eco about Werner Herzog’s film of ancient cave paintings in France? Perspective. Who were we 30,000 years ago is as important as who we can be in another 30,000 years. We often overlook our connection with nature and art in our day-to-day lives and the story of the world’s oldest known cave paintings can help you to remember.

4. DIVE!: This award-winning short documentary details a dumpster diver’s journey into our global food waste crisis. It’s compelling and disheartening. You will never look at your food consumption habits the same again.

5. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soapbox: If you love Dr. Bronner’s soap, you’ve probably already read the bottle a few times, getting a glimpse of Dr. Bronner himself. But learn more about the man and the company in this fascinating documentary that highlights just how much of a positive impact a little soap company can have on the planet.

6. Earthlings: In our quest to be eco-friendly, we often overlook our animal friends and the impact our industrialization of them has on the globe. And even more than that, the psychological impact of widespread enslavement, torture and killing of these innocent creatures greatly effects how we approach many of our global crises. This film will inspire compassion and connection to Mother Nature and all her creatures like nothing you’ve ever seen before. View here.

7. Ethos: What is ethical consumerism? Just ask Woody Harrelson who hosts this exploration into what our purchasing power means for the planet and each other. Another world is possible and we can build it just by chosing where we spend our dollars.

8. Food Fight: Think our battle against corporate food manufacturers is a lost cause? Think again. Food Fight highlights the food revolution underway, including beloved chef, author and activist, Alice Water’s influence on the healthy and good food discussion.

9. Gasland: This Oscar-nominated documentary exposes the unbelievable impact hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has on the planet and the health of the surrounding communities. What’s happening to our water supplies and the people who have no choice but to drink from them will motivate you to look into protecting your family, your community our planet’s future from the potentially irreversible effects of fracking.

10. Vanishing of the Bees: Colony Collapse Disorder is creating unprecedented bee die-offs and unusual behavior. What’s causing it—or why—is still unknown. But what we do know is how important bees are for our food supply (and the rest of nature). Think they’re just pesky insects? Watch this film and think again.

11. Waste Land: This film documents the incredible amount of waste being generated (in Brazil) and one artist’s goal of turning it into art. It’s equal parts astonishing and inspiring. How else can we turn our bad habits into things of beauty?

Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments!

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Image: xJason.Rogersx

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As Fashion Editor of EcoSalon and owner of an eco-boutique I talk to a lot of designers. This was my first time going to Market Week in NYC as both and it was as thrilling as it was tiring.

Market Week, if you haven’t been, is where clothing designers worldwide show their seasonal collections in New York City. Buyers from stores large and small come here to buy what best represents their brand. It is a tough, tedious job and forges a deeper appreciation for the fashion industry beyond hitting the shops with a girlfriend to check out the newest duds.

D&A, Coterie, Train, NOW Showcase and two individual appointments in studios kept my boutique partner, Amanda, and I busy as devil’s advocates representing an eco-boutique. (I admit, it surprised me how many people raised their eyebrows when we said that.)

Since we knew we’d really have to grill the designers about their knowledge of their lines for our eco-minded purposes, we anticipated this process was going to be a hard pill to swallow for some.

We were right.

If the price is too low, somebody’s getting paid to make it with rice.

On at least three occasions when we asked eco-designers why their price was so low, they didn’t have a real answer except, “We just like to keep the prices low.”

One designer in particular, looming over me at 6’2″ in her super chunky platform heels, couldn’t offer me much in terms of information and fumbled with sheets of paper as I inquired. Her heavily made-up eyes and fierce Frankenstein eyebrows finally communicated the message loud and clear: get the hell out of her booth. (I’m not kidding about the eyebrows.)

But cheers to my two new favorite eco-designers, Ethos and Toggery, who seem to keep it all in balance, designing truly beautiful pieces as well as producing at amazing prices. I’ll be telling you their fantastic stories soon – can’t wait.

Some eco-designers think just tossing up a sign that says you’re a sustainable designer makes you part of the eco pack.

Note to designers: one organic piece out of many does not an eco brand make. Thank goodness my partner and I scrutinized each and every label to make sure we stood by our boutique mission, which is to sell 100% sustainable materials. 10% soy and 90% conventional cotton? Thanks, but no thanks.

A caveat, though. I actually believe a compromise like that is fine if you’re just starting out with eco manufacture, because it takes time to learn and test. But for experienced designers, claiming eco status when you’re really not is just greenwash. (I wish I had the cojones to name names.)

To that point: Evolving into a sustainable designer is not a bad thing!

In one vendor’s booth (many of you would recognize the label) they’d pushed all their eco-apparel into a corner that was being dripped on from a malfunction in the ceiling. When asked about the eco-friendly part of their line, they were timid to show us what they had. Sensing their embarrassment, we walked away.

Highlights?

– Meeting Howard Brown of Stewart & Brown and getting to hear about his and his partner’s (Karen Stewart) passion for their line. And the fact that they were actually there instead of letting reps do all the hard work!

– Meeting Doucette Duvall in their studio and their offer to search remnant fabrics for us to create the pieces in their line that are not yet eco because they “love going on a hunt.” (Hunt more, ladies, and make it all eco!)

– Meeting Kate D’Arcy of Toggery, who designs from the perspective that every woman deserves to wear sustainably designed clothes made in the U.S. (that means beautiful and fairly priced).

– Learning from the ever-exuberant Celeste Lilore of Restore Clothing just how the plastics used in her line are recycled and made into fibers with touch bowls and great literature.

– Meeting the one and only Starre Vartan, founder of Eco Chick, editor of Greenopia and author of The Eco-Chick Guide To Life. Thanks to all her great social media head shots, she was easily identified.

– Eating as much delicious ethnic food as possible.

– Sitting and spending time with eco-designers I love and support.

I write all this and wonder if it’s interesting to you, this behind-the-scenes detail. I hope it is. I want you to understand how much work goes into those shops you love. All those online eco-boutique shop owners were there in the throes of Market, picking out some really great things for you.

You see, it’s not just a shopping free-for-all. They’re personal shopping for you.

Image: The Train New York

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