With the onset of YouTube and the emergence of digital advocacy, environmental groups, scientists, corporations, government agencies and independent filmmakers have all taken to the virtual airwaves in an effort to frame the critical environmental issues of today. The following is a chronological sampling of the viral videos that have defined the environmental movement from 1958-2010.
Bell Labs' Dr. Research -- Unchained Goddess (1958)
While it didn't go viral until 50 years after it was made, this video features the seemingly prophetic words of Dr. Frank Baxter, or, “Dr. Research,” from a series of educational films called The Bell Laboratory Science Series.
Epuron -- Mr. W (2005)
Sure there's a 47-year jump to our next choice, but perhaps that's indicative of something? A very clever wind energy commercial made by German wind energy developers, Epuron. The two-minute commercial follows the story"Mr. W" newfound purpose in society.
Government of Victoria, Australia -- Black Balloons (2006)
In a series of advertisements from the Victorian Government, a black balloon was used as a unit of measurement that holds about 50 grams of gas. The commercial tries to tackle a concept that is incredibly difficult to communicate--carbon dioxide emissions--in a way that gives a visual representation of something that is essentially colorless, odorless and shapeless.
Free Love Forum -- Coal (2007)
Written and directed by Jeremy Beiler as a comedy sketch,"Coal" quickly became an internet sensation because of its pointed satirical take on a growing trend of energy industry ads that feature actors as regular folks speaking in vague terms about energy.(Continued on page 2)
Follow Timothy B. Hurst on Twitter: 
I recommend
Home (DVD)
Glenn Close (narrator) and Yann Arthus-Bertrand (director) I really enjoyed this for all the right reasons.
I would just like to second your nomination of Annie Leonard’s The Story of Stuff. If this is any indication her Story of Cap and Trade should certainly be in the running next year.
Absolutely, Home is a must for all. Annie Leonard has the right ideas, and Peter Sinclair’s “Crock of the Week” help us understand why the deniers are so comitted.
The Coal satire piece was brilliant! Can’t believe I haven’t seen that before!
http://jimasks.me/if-you-could-choose-how-you-would-die-what-would-you-choose-and-why
What about Jacques Fresco from http://www.thevenusproject.com ? Looks like he worked his whole life to find a solution for our problems on earth…and he has!
Greetings from Vienna
WOw, this is the coolest thing ever dude!
RT
http://www.web-privacy.se.tc
I think this one is pretty good at taking a complicated subject and making it understandable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBzmfPZ5Pxo
This one is excellent. Although it inconveniently highlights a truth that many are unwilling to admit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEiLgbBGKVk
awesome! thanks
Try this one. Plane Stupid’s recent Cinema Ad – Your flight has an impact.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxis7Y1ikIQ
The brazilian classic from the 80′s, Ilha das Flores, sure is an excellent and visionary one. Don’t know if it’s subtitled somewhere, though: http://www.plantandoconsciencia.org/flores.htm
Check out this video that shows the impact of climate change on low-income communities and solutions that a green-collar economy can provide.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNszFwmSg2Y