Featured
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Still the Enemy Within
Documentary
An award-winning documentary covering the 1984-85 British Miners' Strike. Told through the voices of miners, the film employs edited archive footage and interviews with the miners themselves. An excellent film for introducing students to energy politics, particularly concerning labour. Works well in combination with Timothy Mitchell’s work on ‘Carbon Democracies’.
Documentaries
An Inconvenient Truth
Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim follows Al Gore on the lecture circuit, as the former presidential candidate campaigns to raise public awareness of the dangers of global warming and calls for immediate action to curb its destructive effects on the environment.
Big Men
Big Men takes you into rooms you have no business entering. You’ll eavesdrop on meetings about oil deals worth billions of dollars and watch heavily armed militants preparing to strike. It’s a fast-paced tour through the high-powered world of African oil deals – a quest for money and power and influence that affects us all. Big Men’s two-person crew filmed inside the oil company as Kosmos and its partners discovered and developed the first commercial oil field in Ghana’s history.
BLACKOUT
Only about a fifth of Guinea’s people have access to electricity. With few families able to afford generators, children have discovered the international airport, petrol stations and traffic roundabouts as unlikely places to revise. They are amongst the only places where they will always find light. A literal and metaphorical journey towards enlightenment, BLACK OUT shows the obstacles these children must overcome to achieve their dreams in one of the world’s poorest countries.
Burning the Future: Coal in America
Burning the Future: Coal in America dramatically documents the devastating environmental, health and social impact our addiction to coal has on West Virginia, where mountaintop removal mining has obliterated 1.4 million acres of mountains and polluted the groundwater. The film profiles the courageous West Virginians who challenged the powerful coal industry and launched a valiant fight to arouse the nation's help in protecting their mountains, saving their families, and preserving their way of life.
Dreamland
Dreamland (Icelandic: Draumalandið) is a 2009 Icelandic documentary film about politics, environmental preservation and damming, focusing on the Kárahnjúkar Hydropower Plant and its environmental impact.
Energy at the Movies
From the gushing geysers of Giant, to the plutonium-powered time machine of Back to the Future, Hollywood has entertained us with unforgettable, often iconic images of energy. Whether intentional or not, films frequently serve as a snapshot of society, capturing sentiments of each time period. Many films have themes that memorialize collective optimism, fears, and observations about energy. Using film clips as a historical road map, Energy at the Movies is an entertaining lecture that enlightens audiences about the ways films influence how we think about energy, and in turn, how we influence energy policy.
Forget Shorter Showers
A short award-winning documentary about the problem of individualist energy ‘solutions’ (such as shorter showers) for facing global, structural problems. Discusses the politics involved in the mobilisation of individualist energy discourses.
Gasland (Parts 1 & 2)
An excellent documentary exploring the expansion of the shale gas industry in the United States and the social and environmental implications of fracking. Challenges discourse of ‘clean, green gas’. Includes interviews with people affected by fracking, and with company representatives and politicians.
Harlan County, USA
A 1976 American documentary film covering the "Brookside Strike",[1] a 1973 effort of 180 coal miners and their wives against the Duke Power Company-owned Eastover Coal Company's Brookside Mine and Prep Plant in Harlan County, southeast Kentucky. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary at the 49th Academy Awards.
Jonathan Scott's Power Trip
Property Brothers co-host and home-renovation expert Jonathan Scott journeys all across the U.S. to uncover why clean, renewable energy isn’t available to all. While traveling to learn both the obstacles and opportunities for achieving energy freedom, Jonathan talks with conservatives fighting for solar freedom; sits down with farmers struggling to make ends meet; engages coal workers desperate for a new, healthy means of making an income; the Navajo Nation who built a utility-scale solar plant; religious leaders who made a desperate attempt to help meet their community’s energy needs; and politicians at the forefront of the battle for energy freedom.
No Impact Man
An environmentalist who could no longer avoid pointing the finger at himself, vowed to make as little environmental impact as possible for one year. This sustainability documentary follows his quest.
Planet of the Humans
Released on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and in the midst of the global Covid-19 pandemic, Planet of the Humans takes a harsh look at how the environmental movement has lost the battle through well-meaning but disastrous choices, including the belief that solar panels and windmills would save us, and by giving in to the corporate interests of Wall Street.
Powerful: Energy for Everyone
Challenging where our energy comes from can seem a little eccentric... After all, not everyone has solar panels above the doorstep. David does, and they generate more than enough energy to go around. So why can't he share it?
Power Trip
Corruption, assassination and street rioting surround the story of the award-winning film, Power Trip, which follows an American multi-national trying to solve the electricity crisis in Tbilisi, capital of the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. Power Trip provides insight into today's headlines, with a graphic, on-the-ground depiction of the challenges facing globalization in an environment of culture clash, electricity disconnections and blackouts.
spOILed
Most people today believe we are "addicted" to oil. But are we? Is oil destroying our lives the way other addictions do? Newsman turned filmmaker Mark Mathis explores our relationship to oil and what he reveals is a stunning pattern of misinformation, disinformation and even outright deception about this resource that literally runs our lives. Mathis also investigates what is likely to be the greatest challenge ever faced by humanity-trying to run the modern world on less oil. Three years in the making, spOILed blows the lid off our delusions about oil. Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
Still the Enemy Within
An award-winning documentary covering the 1984-85 British Miners' Strike. Told through the voices of miners, the film employs edited archive footage and interviews with the miners themselves. An excellent film for introducing students to energy politics, particularly concerning labour. Works well in combination with Timothy Mitchell’s work on ‘Carbon Democracies’.
Switch
What will it really take, to transition from oil and coal, to the energies of tomorrow? SWITCH goes where no film has gone before, deep into the world's most restricted energy sites, to depoliticize competing power sources, make the technical accessible, and discover the truth of our energy future.
The Age of Consequences
Through unflinching case-study analysis, distinguished admirals, generals and military veterans take us beyond the headlines of the conflict in Syria, the social unrest of the Arab Spring, the rise of radicalized groups like ISIS, and the European refugee crisis – laying bare how climate change stressors interact with societal tensions, sparking conflict.
The Bliss of Ignorance
Through first-hand testimony The Bliss of Ignorance investigates South Africa’s complex relationship with one of the country’s most abundant resources: coal. With experts predicting the creation of a “sick” generation in the Mpumalanga region (which is home to twelve of the world’s largest power stations), this documentary looks at the impact of South Africa’s energy policy – particularly the support for Eskom’s coal-fired power stations – on public health.
The End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream
An exploration of the supposed ‘peak oil’ crisis and what it means for everyday life in America.
The Future of Energy: Lateral Power to the People
The Future of Energy journeys across America to shine a light on the communities and individuals who are at the forefront of the clean energy revolution, taking practical steps to transition from fossil fuels to renewable power. The film illustrates that renewable power on a large scale is not just a dream, but a viable option already being implemented by many communities, cities and businesses.
To The Ends of the Earth
"To the Ends of the Earth" follows concerned citizens living at the frontiers of extreme oil and gas extraction, bearing witness to a global crossroads. They call for human ingenuity to rebuild society at the end of the fossil fuel era.
We the Power: The Future of Energy is Community-Owned
A film about the citizen-led community-energy movement in Europe and the visionaries lighting the way. Imagine upending the traditional energy system and giving the power of clean electricity production back to your neighbors. We the Power follows friends, families and visionaries as they break down legislative barriers and take power back from big energy companies to put it in the hands of locals and strengthen their towns. The film chronicles local cooperatives from deep in Germany’s Black Forest to the streets of ancient Girona in Spain and the urban rooftops of London, England, as they pave the way for a renewable energy revolution and build healthier, financially stable communities.
Movies
Deepwater Horizon
Deepwater Horizon is a 2016 American disaster film based on the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Peter Berg directed it from a screenplay by Matthew Michael Carnahan and Matthew Sand. It stars Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, Gina Rodriguez, Dylan O'Brien, and Kate Hudson. It is adapted from the December 25, 2010 The New York Times article Deepwater Horizon's Final Hours, written by David Barstow, David Rohde, and Stephanie Saul.
Promised Land
Promised Land is a 2012 American drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Matt Damon, John Krasinski, Frances McDormand, Rosemarie DeWitt and Hal Holbrook. The screenplay is written by Damon and Krasinski based on a story by Dave Eggers. Promised Land follows two petroleum landmen who visit a rural town to buy drilling rights from the local residents.
The Day After Tomorrow
The Day After Tomorrow is a 2004 American science fiction disaster film co-written, directed, and produced by Roland Emmerich and starring Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ian Holm, Emmy Rossum, and Sela Ward. It is based on the book The Coming Global Superstorm by Art Bell and Whitley Strieber. The film depicts catastrophic climatic effects following the disruption of the North Atlantic Ocean circulation in a series of extreme weather events that usher in global cooling and lead to a new ice age.
The World is Not Enough
A Pierce Brosnan era James Bond film. The film's plot revolves around the assassination of billionaire Sir Robert King and Bond's subsequent assignment to protect King's daughter Elektra, who had previously been held for ransom by Renard. During his assignment, Bond unravels a scheme to increase petroleum prices by triggering a nuclear meltdown in the waters of Istanbul. Notable for the scene in which Pierce Brosnan travels within a newly laid oil pipe on a pipeline inspection device.
There Will be Blood
There Will Be Blood is a 2007 American epic period drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, loosely based on the 1927 novel Oil! by Upton Sinclair. It stars Daniel Day-Lewis as a silver miner-turned-oilman on a ruthless quest for wealth during Southern California's oil boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Paul Dano, Kevin J. O'Connor, Ciarán Hinds, and Dillon Freasier also feature in the film.
TV Series
Chernobyl
Chernobyl is a 2019 historical drama television miniseries produced by HBO and Sky UK. Created and written by Craig Mazin and directed by Johan Renck, the series revolves around the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of April 1986 and the clean-up efforts that followed.
Islands of the Future
"Islands of the Future" documents five islands off the coast of Europe who are reimagining the future of energy.
Occupied
A Norwegian political thriller series that depicts a fictional near future in which Russia, with support from the European Union, occupies Norway to restore its oil and gas production in response to a Europe-wide energy crisis. Due to catastrophic environmental events, Norway's Prime Minister has stopped the country's oil and gas production.
Revolution
A TV drama that imagines what might happen if all electricity-based systems mysteriously malfunctioned.
Academic
Future Energy Landscapes
Lecture series developed by Harriet Thomson and colleagues at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Includes contributions from more than 30 leading experts worldwide, including one of Mexico's top sci-fi writers, Bernardo Fernández, Rosilena Lindo the National Under Secretary of Energy for Panama, and Professor Benjamin Sovacool from the University of Sussex. Creative Commons license (free to use).
HELM Talks: A Lecture Series
A free online lecture series on energy and natural capital by Professor Dieter Helm.
Invisible Berlin
A free mini documentary series on the invisible infrastructures that underpin everyday life in Berlin, past and present. Produced by Dr Timothy Moss and the L.I.S.A Institute.
YouTube
Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions (CREDS)
Channel hosting all of the video outputs from the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions.
Clean Energy Council
The Clean Energy Council is the peak body representing Australia's clean energy sector. It is an industry association made up of more than 600 member companies operating in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Clean Energy Solutions Centre
This channel features training webinars on clean energy policy topics for policymakers and success stories that highlight how energy policy can be used to create successful outcomes in your communities.
DEMAND
Channel hosting the video outputs from the DEMAND research centre.
Energy Cities
Channel that broadcasts interviews and videos of interest in the field of energy transition for European local authorities.
Energy Live News
Energy Live News produces a variety of news stories and comment pieces on the energy industry.
Energy-SHIFTS
Energy-SHIFTS is a €1m investment through the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme aiming to bring much-needed expertise from the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) into European energy policy-making. What would a just and sustainable energy system look like? What kinds of social, economic and technical change do we need to get us there? And how can, and should, evidence from the Social Sciences and Humanities guide and inform these transitions?
Energy Futures Lab
Energy Futures Lab is a focal point for multi-disciplinary research across Imperial College London, coordinating research support, a distinguished education programme and an extensive network of energy researchers. Developing a sustainable energy supply is a challenge that will define our generation. Energy Futures Lab is addressing this issue through the support and funding of energy research across Imperial College London. Through interdisciplinary research, a distinguished education programme and our extensive network of postgraduate researchers we are promoting advances in our understanding and expertise in energy technology.
Fully Charged Show
Fully Charged is the world's number 1 clean energy & electric vehicle channel. Founded and hosted by Robert Llewellyn (Red Dwarf, Scrapheap Challenge, Carpool). It's not only about electric cars, bikes, boats and planes but how we generate and even own the electricity to power these machines. From looking behind the myths of renewable energy, to seeking the truth about conventional generation Robert Llewellyn demonstrates what the future could have in store for us all.
Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition
Channel dedicated to publicising the negative aspects of drilling for gas.
Global Women's Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET)
GWNET aims to advance the global energy transition by empowering women in energy through interdisciplinary networking, advocacy, training, coaching and mentoring. GWNET seeks to address the current gender imbalances in the energy sector and to promote gender-sensitive action around the energy transition in all parts of the world.
Global Energy Institute
YouTube channel of the Global Energy Institute.
Green Energy Futures
Green Energy Futures tells inspiring stories of people involved with the green energy revolution in Canada.
International District Energy Association
This channel is published by the International District Energy Association, a nonprofit trade association founded in 1909 to facilitate the exchange of information among district energy professionals. Today, IDEA has over 1,700 members and is governed by a 20-member, all-volunteer Board of Directors.
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind energy in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity.
Stanford Energy
Stanford University's Precourt Institute for Energy draws on experts and resources across campus in the pursuit of sustainable, secure and affordable energy for all. Founded in 2009, the institute funds energy research at Stanford from science and technology to policy and economics. We also help educate the next generation of leaders in energy, and nurture a vibrant energy ecosystem here and abroad.
Student Energy
Student Energy is a global charity empowering the next generation of leaders who are accelerating the transition to a sustainable, equitable energy future. We work with a network of 50,000 young people from over 120 countries to build the knowledge, skills, and networks they need to take action on energy. Student Energy collaborates with governments, companies, and organizations to facilitate meaningful youth engagement and mobilize resources to support youth-led energy solutions.
University of Michigan Energy Institute
The demand for economically and environmentally sound energy solutions is urgent and global. At the Energy Institute, we build on the University of Michigan's strong energy research heritage at the heart of the nation's automotive and manufacturing industries to develop and integrate science, technology and policy solutions to pressing energy challenges. Learn more at energy.umich.edu.
The Verge
The YouTube channel for TheVerge.com, a team of journalists that examines how technology will change life in the future. Offers a range of forward-looking critical accounts of energy issues and emerging technologies.
U.S. Department of Energy
YouTube channel of the U.S. Department for Energy.
Energy Geographies Research Group (EnGRG)
Our YouTube channel!