A normal life for a killer whale in the ocean is traveling around 100 miles a day, while in captivity they are limited, extremely limited. This causes animmense amount of stress within the animal, which triggers trauma and aggression. For 25 years, Tilikum lived in an enclosure whose size would be comparable to a human living in a bathtub. Blackfish tells the story of Tilikum, a performing killer whale that killed several people while in captivity. http://blackfishmovie.com/about

Nominated for over 30 awards.
"Expertly crafted, A must-see" 5 stars – Daily Mirror
"An extraordinary, must-see examination" 5 stars– New York Daily News
"If you see one documentary this year, make it Blackfish" 5 stars – The Hollywood News
"As horribly gripping as a serial-killer thriller" 4 stars – The Guardian
"Critics Pick" – LA Times
"You have rarely seen footage this tense." – Village Voice

Full Article: http://time.com/3273736/dietary-guidelines-sustainability/
Researchers say our eating and environmental goals don't align. If Americans change their diets to meet the current federal dietary guidelines, greenhouse gas emissions could increase, a new study reports.University of Michigan researchers looked at the current USDA’s dietary guidelines and the emissions associated with the production of 100 different foods. They then looked at how these emissions would increase or decrease if Americans adopted the dietary guidelines.

A groundbreaking feature-length environmental documentary following intrepid filmmaker Kip Andersen as he uncovers the most destructive industry facing the planet today – and investigates why the world’s leading environmental organizations are too afraid to talk about it.
http://cowspiracy.com/

Sir David Attenborough investigates whether the world is heading for a population crisis. In his lengthy career, Sir David has watched the human population more than double from 2.5 billion in 1950 to nearly seven billion. He reflects on the profound effects of this rapid growth, both on humans and the environment.While much of the projected growth in human population is likely to come from the developing world, it is the lifestyle enjoyed by many in the West that has the most impact on the planet. Some experts claim that in the UK consumers use as much as two and a half times their fair share of Earth's resources.Sir David examines whether it is the duty of individuals to commit not only to smaller families, but to change the way they live for the sake of humanity and planet Earth.

“Every time history repeats itself the price goes up.”

Surviving Progress presents the story of human advancement as awe-inspiring and double-edged. It reveals the grave risk of running the 21st century’s software — our know-how — on the ancient hardware of our primate brain which hasn’t been upgraded in 50,000 years. With rich imagery and immersive soundtrack, filmmakers Mathieu Roy and Harold Crooks launch us on journey to contemplate our evolution from cave-dwellers to space explorers.

http://survivingprogress.com/

I don't believe there's any reason we need to test on animals for the sake of beauty. It's so unnecessary. I've been using cruelty free products for years and alas, I haven't turned into a wrinkly prune. Cruelty free products are just as good, if not better and more nourishing than the synthetic products that are almost always tested on small animals. So take a few minutes of your day to find some new companies to support. Click on the bunny below to be directed to SAFE's long list of companies who don't text on animals.  

Global demand for crops is expected to double by 2050 as population grows and increasing affluence boosts demand for meat. Does that mean we'll need to cultivate twice as much land? Not if we're willing to shift from producing crops for animal feed and fuel to producing crops for human consumption. In this video, researcher Emily Cassidy of the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment shows that shifting crops from their current mix of uses to all food for direct human consumption could increase calorie availability from current cropland by 70 percent — enough to feed an additional 4 billion people.

The more animal products people consume, the less likely we are to feed future generations, according to a new study from the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment. Globally, meat and dairy consumption is expected to increase by 68 and 57 percent, respectively, by 2030. Increased demand for animal products stems not only from population growth, but from increasing affluence among the world’s population, which has shifted from grain-based diets to animal-based diets (meat, dairy products, and eggs).

Production of animal products requires more land and resources than plant-based foods, and now 75 percent of all agricultural land is used for animal production. The negative consequences of consuming more animal products affect the environment and future food availability, as well as world health. Greater animal product consumption is associated with increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Source: http://pcrm.org/health/medNews/western-diet-unsustainable-for-planet

Sharks are probably my favorite animal. They are strong, quick, smart and beautiful. There's a serious lack of understanding on mankind's part, about sharks. Most people have no idea just how integral they are to the health of the oceans and in fact, our own survival. 

Driven by passion fed from a lifelong fascination with sharks, Rob Stewart debunks historical stereotypes and media depictions of sharks as bloodthirsty, man-eating monsters and reveals the reality of sharks as pillars in the evolution of the seas.

Filmed in visually stunning, high definition video, Sharkwater takes you into the most shark rich waters of the world, exposing the exploitation and corruption surrounding the world's shark populations in the marine reserves of Cocos Island, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

In an effort to protect sharks, Stewart teams up with renegade conservationist Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Their unbelievable adventure together starts with a battle between the Sea Shepherd and shark poachers in Guatemala, resulting in pirate boat rammings, gunboat chases, mafia espionage, corrupt court systems and attempted murder charges, forcing them to flee for their lives.

Through it all, Stewart discovers these magnificent creatures have gone from predator to prey, and how despite surviving the earth's history of mass extinctions, they could easily be wiped out within a few years due to human greed.

Stewart's remarkable journey of courage and determination changes from a mission to save the world's sharks, into a fight for his life, and that of humankind.

Academy Award® Winner for Best Documentary of 2009, THE COVE follows an elite team of activists, filmmakers and freedivers as they embark on a covert mission to penetrate a remote and hidden cove in Taiji, Japan, shining a light on a dark and deadly secret. Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques, including hidden microphones and cameras in fake rocks, the team uncovers how this small seaside village serves as a horrifying microcosm of massive ecological crimes happening worldwide. The result is a provocative mix of investigative journalism, eco-adventure and arresting imagery, adding up to an unforgettable story that has inspired audiences worldwide to action.

Check out their website: http://www.thecovemovie.com/awards.htm