WaterBear’s free content is inspired not by viewing figures or financial gain, but by the UN sustainable development goals. WaterBear is celebrating its first birthday by expanding globally
So you’ve re-watched all your dusty DVDs, wrung iPlayer dry and exhausted Netflix getting through those long lockdown evenings. WaterBearYou might be the next port of call.
Ellen Windemuth, executive producer of Oscar-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher created the free streaming platform and app.
It features documentaries and original material that are inspired not by financial return spreadsheets, but by the viewer. UN sustainable development goals.
Once signed up as members, WaterBear users are able to stream videos at any time, and on any device – all for free – as well as sign petitions and link up with climate organisations through WaterBear’s interactive hub.
The project, which is supported in part by Prince Harry, campaigner Lily Cole as well as actor Maisie Wilkins, seems to have caught the zeitgeist in recent months.
WaterBear’s managing director, Victor Eckard, told Positive News: “We are so excited by the positive global response since WaterBear launched last December. We are nearly a year old and our engaged community continues to grow. We’re looking forward to launching more WaterBear Originals around circularity, biodiversity, and all themes related to the UN sustainable development goals. Our continued mission is to drive impact through storytelling.”
WaterBear users can stream videos, sign petitions, and connect with climate organizations. WaterBear image
WaterBear describes its target audience as “semi-conscious” members of the millennial and Gen Z generations, aged roughly between 15-40. “They are aware of the climate issues and the need to do something more but are overwhelmed by how much there is to do, which is a barrier for them,” reads a WaterBear document.
Two originals launched on WaterBear in September: ReDress the Future is a three-part series exploring some of the fashion industry’s most damaging aspects but “tangible solutions” too.
The Youth Unstoppable documentary, which is a documentary about the rise of youth climate movements, is also available. It is viewed from the perspective young people. It was filmed in nine countries over 12 year.
Main image: WaterBear
