5 Reasons Not to Leave Your Couch This Weekend

Since climate change denial is running rampant and the Trump administration slapped a gag order on the Environmental Protection Agency, it feels like a good time to talk about the planet. Or, really, to watch a shit-ton of nature documentaries to remind yourself of how important the planet we call home really is.

So, instead of laughing at the various rogue Twitter profiles going against Trump’s wishes for everyone to shut up about climate change, check out these docs and educate yourself a little bit.

Below, you’ll find a list of five of the best and most interesting documentaries about Earth and its inhabitants available to stream online. Fall in love with baby orangutans and young elephants, let Morgan Freeman and David Attenborough narrate your life for just a little while, and explore the universe with the help of Neil deGrasse Tyson. And keep in mind that all these beautiful things belong to a world slowly being destroyed … Have a good weekend!

5. Born to Be Wild, Hulu

The world’s collective heart will be broken if we let humans keep harming defenseless animals just trying to go about their lives in peace. Born to Be Wild is the story of wild orangutans and elephants who are orphaned and then brought up by humans before being released back into the world. It’s heartwarming and a wonderful example of the kind of work that still needs to be done in the world.

4. Planet Earth, Netflix

The world is a big place, and the nature documentary that everyone thinks of when you say “nature documentary,” Planet Earth, set out to capture that feeling. It’s a little easier to take something seriously — like the health of the planet we live on — when you’re humbled by its enormity and beauty.

3. Life, Netflix

The follow-up to BBC’s Planet Earth is Life, which focuses more on the species that inhabit Earth than any of the environments or landscapes in the world. There are some weird, wonderful creatures out there in the world. So, what are you waiting for? Go chill with some really cool animals.

2. Frozen Planet, Netflix

Yet another BBC nature documentary comes in the form of Frozen Planet. If lions, bugs, and monkeys aren’t really your thing, maybe you’re more of a polar bears, orcas, and penguins kinda person. This is for you if that’s the case. Plus, what better way is there to think about the importance of global warming awareness than while watching a documentary starring icebergs?

1. Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, Netflix

Take some time to get to know the place the human race might be forced to migrate to if we don’t start taking care of our own planet: space. It’s a cool place and all, as astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson will reassure you in this docuseries, but it’s also a scary thought that we’d ever have to leave Earth behind WALL-E-style. Based on Carl Sagan’s award-winning Cosmos, this series explores the mysteries and science of — what else? The cosmos.