Written by Marrian Haileselassie

February is probably the best month of the year - it’s short, sweet and full of positive vibes. Welcome to this month’s edition of Netflix & Change! Here are 3 movie recommendations to entice the wild traveller in you, share an inspiring true story and explain the delicate balance of the marine world through the lens of sustainability.

1. Down to Earth with Zac Efron

“Maybe it’s time we all change. Just a little bit - what we can, where we can.”

Treats

Follow Zac Efron and his companion Darin as they travel across the globe and learn how each country is incorporating sustainable practices into everyday life. From green energy in frosty Iceland all the way to lush Costa Rica, meet the engineers, innovators and everyone in between that’s joining the green step forward.

Takeaways

With its diverse locations, delicious cuisine and breathtaking views, you’ll leave every episode wanting to visit the place yourself! Learn some fun-fact history along the way and prepare unusual dishes with Zac and Darin at each stop. After seeing the great efforts of the initiatives featured on the show, you might be interested in knowing a little more about them yourself.

2. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Genius. Inspiring. Heartwarming.

Treats

Based on a true story, meet William Kamkwamba, a talented young boy from Malawi. In 2001, when famine strikes and his family's farm dies because of a drought, this schoolboy thinks of a solution that no one else does. Defying all odds, he gets his father's help and with a single textbook, William builds a windmill from scratch and scraps.

Takeaways

A classic example of real-life African ingenuity, this movie forces us to think long and hard about the effects of unsustainable practices on people’s lives. It also leaves you with a sense of hope for what empowered youth can achieve and how life-changing innovation can be. Enjoy the brilliant acting and experience the incredible journey through the eyes of young William.

3. Artifishal

“It’s more than just our relationship with fish; it’s how we’re trying to control nature rather than work with nature”

Treats

From vast blue oceans to the confined spaces of a hatchery, learn how unsustainable fish production is adversely affecting the natural order. Meet the lawyers, scientists and fishermen behind the industry as they explore the lesser-known consequence of mass fish consumption. Go underwater and follow the fish industry’s tail across America as the story unfolds.

Takeaways

As a Patagonia original, the excellent cinematography and storyline of the film make for perfect weekend edutainment. By explaining the different species of salmon and the importance of natural breeding, the film addresses the larger topic of human intervention. It uses the fish industry as an example of what sustainability ought to mean.

With that, grab your favorite ice cream and add these 3 movies to your watch list. In this month’s edition, we wanted to address the topic of sustainability when it comes to energy, production and policy. Here at Viatu, we focus on regenerative travel and keeping wild places wild. 

If you’d like to know more, follow us on Instagram and watch out for our Smarties series!