Independent Lens . Earth Day

To mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Independent Lens invites you to explore and celebrate our planet with a slate of green-themed films.

You must have flash 9 or above to view video.

Independent Lens host Maggie Gyllenhaal reminds us that it’s not easy being green, but it can be entertaining!

DIRT! The Movie

Premieres April 20, 2010
Check local listings »

Industrial farming, mining, and urban development have endangered the soil and resulted in cataclysmic droughts, starvation, floods, and climate change. How can humans reconnect to dirt — the living skin of the Earth?

GARBAGE DREAMS

Premieres April 27, 2010
Check local listings »

The world’s largest garbage village is just outside Cairo. The Zabaleen (Arabic for “garbage people”) recycle 80 percent of the trash they collect, but now multinational corporations threaten their livelihood. Recycling game coming April 20.

A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES

Premieres May 25
Check local listings »

After Hurricane Katrina, a Vietnamese-American community on the edge of New Orleans fought the opening of a toxic landfill in their neighborhood and won.

TAKING ROOT: The Vision of Wangari Maathai

Featured on Independent Lens on Earth Day 2009
Check local listings »

Discover the dramatic story of Kenyan activist Wangari Maathai — the world’s first African and first environmentalist to win the Nobel Peace Prize — whose simple act of planting trees grew into a global movement.

Garbage Art

Your Comments on the Films

The small action of planting trees has grown and evolved into an amazingly beneficial movement. Ms Wangari Maathai is a genuine and strong lady, with outstanding qualities. Her actions are humbling to all of humanity.
TAKING ROOT Talkback »
Wangari Maathai's education and her strength of character helped her and those around her to keep on keeping on in the midst of greed, let-the-bigger-gun-win culture, and simple lack of forsight where deforestation was rampant.
TAKING ROOT Talkback »
I watched this beautiful, hope inspiring, powerful story sitting upright on my bed with tears streaming down my face. It made me want to go out and start a grassroots womens movement to try and channel the powerful and beautiful spirit of women in this country. It is just what we need.
TAKING ROOT Talkback »
I watched this beautiful, hope inspiring, powerful story sitting upright on my bed with tears streaming down my face. It made me want to go out and start a grassroots womens movement to try and channel the powerful and beautiful spirit of women in this country. It is just what we need.
TAKING ROOT Talkback »
Thank you for this inspiring look into the essence of courage. Wangari Maathai's story is easily as inspiring as Gandhi, King, Mandela and Tutu. Someday the corrupt brokering of resources by national dictators will end... More women like Wangari must show us the way.
TAKING ROOT Talkback »
Very inspirational. Wonderful piece on how a single,determined voice can make a difference.
TAKING ROOT Talkback »
i dont think that history has been fair to anyone, ever. but to see this woman and those around her rise above and right the way of the world on her home ground brought tears to my eyes for their pain and tears for their accomplishment.
TAKING ROOT Talkback »

Celebrate Earth Day with Independent Lens