Happy Earth Day! Looking for some informative and entertaining streaming options to watch? We’ve got the scoop as well as some fascinating interviews!

Apple TV+ has two new wonderful and inspiring offerings just in time for Earth Day.

First up… The Year Earth Changed is a stunning new film that looks at this past year and how COVID has impacted the planet.

Earth Day takes on a whole new meaning in 2021, as the world continues to battle the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The theme for this year’s Earth Day (April 22), is Restore the Earth, that includes focusing on climate change, environmental justice, and emerging green technologies.

Keeping these issues in mind, Apple TV+ has premiered a brand new original documentary narrated by erstwhile Emmy-winning historian, broadcaster, and orator Sir David Attenborough, called The Year Earth Changed.
The Year Earth Changed will showcase exclusive footage from around the world after an unprecedented year. It offers a timely and fresh approach to the global lockdown, seeking out the uplifting stories that have come out of it. This includes hearing birdsong in deserted cities, witnessing whales communicating in new ways, and how people all over the world have re-engaged with nature. It shows how the changes in human behavior can have a profound impact on nature and give us hope for the future. The hour-long documentary is produced by BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit and directed by Tom Beard and Executive Produced by Mike Gutton.

The second is the animated short film, Here We Are: Notes For Living on Planet Earth based on the best selling children’s book by Oliver Jeffers. It centers around a precocious 7-year-old ( voiced by Jacob Tremblay) who, over the course of Earth Day, learns about the wonders of the planet from his parents and from a mysterious exhibit at the aptly titled Museum of Everything. The 26 minute film is narrated by none other than Meryl Streep,

From Disney + you won’t want to miss the gorgeous four part original series, Secrets of The Whales.

Featuring the expansive knowledge and skill of acclaimed National Geographic Explorer and Photographer Brian Skerry, the series Secrets of the Whales unveils new science and technology to spotlight whales as they make lifelong friendships, teach clan heritage and traditions to their young, and grieve deeply for the loss of loved ones. Filmed over three years in 24 global locations, throughout this epic journey, we learn that whales are far more complex and more like us than ever imagined.

The series is an epic journey within the world’s oceans and seas, offering cinematic storytelling and breathtaking images of the planet’s most revered and largest marine mammals. The collaboration from world-renowned filmmaker and avid environmentalist James Cameron powered by the incredible body of work and perspective of photographer Brian Skerry, blended with Sigourney Weaver’s unique voice and Raphaelle Thibaut’s sweeping score, makes Secrets of the Whales an epic experience not to be missed. Weaver guides viewers on a journey to the heart of whale culture to experience the extraordinary communication skills and intricate social structures of five different whale species: orcas, humpbacks, belugas, narwhals and sperm whales.

One of the world’s top ocean photographers, Brian Skerry has spent more than 10,000 hours underwater, documenting uncharted territory and elucidating environmental issues, often leading to policy change. Skerry’s work expands upon National Geographic’s legacy of exploration and dedication to conservation and protecting the animal species that inhabit our planet as they grapple with an ecosystem under threat. Skerry has has been a contributing photographer for National Geographic magazine since 1988. He is an 11-time award winner in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Skerry’s work in highlighting environmental issues has been effective in helping the public understand that their choices matter; it has also helped elected leaders make policy decisions, including placing protections for endangered species and creating marine protected areas.

Secrets of The Whales is NOW streaming on Disney + AND
The Year Earth Changed & Here We Are: Notes For Living on Planet Earth  are now streaming on Apple TV +.

Our Bonnie Laufer spoke with Mike Gutton, Oliver Jeffers and Brian Skerry about their films and how they hope they inspire people to take care of our planet.