Watch Planet of the Humans

Planet of the Humans is a thought-provoking documentary film that explores the human impact on the environment and how "renewable" sources of energy may not be the solution to our energy demands. The film, released in 2019, was directed by Jeff Gibbs and executive produced by Michael Moore. The story is told through Jeff Gibbs, who takes the audience on a journey through his personal exploration of the environmental movement over the last several decades. Gibbs begins by attending a sustainability festival in Michigan, where he learns about the various renewable energy technologies being touted as the solution to our energy needs. However, as he continues his investigation, he discovers that many of these technologies are not as sustainable or environmentally friendly as they claim to be.

The documentary questions whether renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, are truly sustainable and whether they are even capable of meeting our growing energy demands. The filmmakers argue that renewable energy technologies require a significant amount of non-renewable resources to produce, transport, construct, and maintain. For example, wind turbines require vast amounts of steel, copper, and rare-earth minerals for construction, while solar panels require high energy input to manufacture and the use of toxic chemicals.

To illustrate their point, the film showcases various environmentalists who have invested in renewable energy projects, only to have them fail due to their limited capacity and the intermittent nature of wind and solar power. The filmmakers suggest that instead of relying on these alternative energy sources, society should focus on reducing energy consumption and embracing a simpler way of life.

The film also touches on the influence of corporate interests in the environmental movement and the impact of global capitalism on the environment. The filmmakers argue that green consumerism, which advocates for people to buy "eco-friendly" products in order to reduce their environmental footprint, is a band-aid solution that fails to address the root problem of our consumptive culture.

Throughout the film, there are poignant scenes of environmental destruction, from mountaintop removal mining in West Virginia to deforestation in Indonesia. These scenes underscore the gravity of the situation and the urgency of finding sustainable solutions.

While the documentary is bleak in its assessment of the current state of affairs, it also offers hope by showcasing various solutions that are being implemented around the world. These include community-owned renewable energy projects, regenerative agriculture, and the promotion of local economies.

Overall, Planet of the Humans is a powerful and eye-opening documentary that challenges viewers to rethink their relationship with the environment and question the belief that technology will solve all our problems. It presents an unflinching examination of the environmental movement, highlighting both its successes and failures. The film ultimately leaves viewers with the understanding that the solution to our environmental problems lies not in technological advancements, but in a collective shift towards a simpler and more sustainable way of life.

Planet of the Humans is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 56.