Environmental Documentaries
Molly Gill
In this documentary, we explore environmental equity in Washington, DC, focusing on how systemic inequality impacts energy access and public health in Wards 5, 7, and 8. We break down the causes—like outdated infrastructure and pollution—and highlight real solutions, including renewable energy and policy reform. Featuring insight from Ben Delman, a local energy equity advocate at Solar United Neighbors, the episode reveals how communities are fighting for cleaner air and fairer treatment.
Logan Poore
This seven-minute mini-documentary profiles Uwe Brandes, a leading urban planner and professor at Georgetown University, as he discusses Washington, D.C.’s efforts to adapt to climate change through reconstruction. Using original B-roll footage of the project site and excerpts from Brandes’ interviews, the piece explores the urgent threat of sea-level rise and how infrastructure planning intersects with sustainability and urban resilience. Without voiceover narration, the film relies on visual storytelling and Brandes’ insights to highlight the stakes of the project and the broader challenge of designing cities for a changing climate.
Carolina Carmo
I asked young people what they envisioned their futures would be like. Most of them brought up climate change.
Jenna Stanco
The more we learn about our warming Earth, the easier it becomes to feel powerless to fight back against climate change. How can we as individuals resist doomerism, and play our part in keeping cars off the road? According to the World Bank, major cities account for 70% of global carbon emissions, but effective initiatives in DC are working to provide residents and vistors alike with the tools to travel sustainibly. Programs like the District Department of Transportation's Capital Bikeshare and the George Washington University's UPass give locals the tools to take back their power in the fight against climmate change.
Caroline White
The restaurant industry is the cause of a huge amount of waste, from excessive amounts of water being used in kitchens to food left uneaten by customers. Claire Wilder is the owner of several D.C. restaurants, including La Bonne Vache, a French bistro in Georgetown that uses a seasonal menu and mindful portion sizes to minimize waste and maximize sustainability. Wilder joins Caroline White to discuss waste and solutions.
Kelsey Baker
“The Climate of Deceit” rips the mask off President Donald Trump’s ever-shifting stance on climate change—where the facts get hotter, and the truth keeps disappearing. As the planet burns, floods, and freezes in protest, Trump doubles down—mocking the science, dodging the facts, and spinning the storm to fit his ego. Through nothing but archival footage, this documentary exposes how one man’s ego, denial, and delusion aren’t just part of the problem—they are the problem. When climate denial becomes a performance, truth is the first casualty and the Earth isn’t far behind.
Nneoma Iloeje
Reel Impact explores how the D.C. Environmental Film Festival (DCEFF) uses the power of storytelling to drive environmental change. Set in the heart of Washington, D.C., this documentary showcases how filmmakers, activists, and policymakers come together to tackle urgent ecological issues. Through powerful films and inspiring discussions, DCEFF amplifies awareness and influences policy—especially in a time when environmental protections are under attack. With interviews, archival footage, and behind-the-scenes access, Reel Impact shows how media can be a game-changer in the fight for a healthier planet.
Avril Silva
Meet Catharine Ferguson, a retired educator and volunteer at the DC Chapter of the nationwide organization, Sierra Club. At the Sierra Club, Catharine jumpstarted a program centered on leveraging youth voices in climate education and policy by forming the Youth Climate Leaders Program, bringing together high schoolers from around DC and teaching them how to use their voices to make change in their communities. Learn how Catharine and her colleagues put together the program, the obstacles and intentions, and how climate education has transformed throughout Catharine's own life as an educator.
Serena Caneva
#TrashFreeDC follows the Adopt a Block’s program of empowering local people to take ownership of their surroundings and be active participants in the city’s well-being. In this documentary, I spoke with Phil Thomas, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services, who spoke on some of the history of the program and its benefits. I also John George, the President of the Foggy Bottom Association, a program that adopted many blocks in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood. Both discussed the coming together of community while taking part in the program.
Crosslin Silcott
Amid shifting U.S. climate policy, a new generation is stepping up. Senior Samhita Dulam shares her work leading sustainability efforts on campus, while career advisor Laura Thorne and former EPA official Dr. Kevin Teichman offer insight into navigating careers in environmental policy during times of political change. Their stories reveal how young people are turning uncertainty into action—and what that means for the future of climate leadership in America.
Serena Caneva
In this episode of Got a Queer-y, we are talking about anti-LGBT, specifically anti-trans legislation, and the importance of queer spaces in response to it. Why has there been a rise in this type of legislation? And why are queer spaces important during a time of rising anti-LGBT legislation? On this episode, we are joined by Sasha Buchert, a lawyer from Lambda Legal the oldest and largest organization dedicated to advancing the civil rights of LGBT individuals. We also have Capucine Anquetil, an E-board member of Allied in Pride, the largest queer organization on the GWUcampus. Join us on this episode to learn more!
Crosslin Silcott
Beyond the Diploma
What does hope look like for college seniors in 2025? As the Class of 2025 prepares to graduate, they’re stepping into a world shaped by political uncertainty, economic instability, and climate anxiety. In a city like Washington, DC—where activism and policy shape everyday life—how are young adults navigating this major life transition?
In this episode of Beyond the Diploma, I sit down with psychologist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst to unpack the mental and emotional challenges of graduating in today’s world. We discuss how young adults process uncertainty, cultivate hope, and redefine success beyond a degree. Then, GW seniors Julia Deriso and Kai Pourzanjani share their personal perspectives—one looking ahead with excitement, the other grappling with doubt—on what life after college really means.