Launching globally in 2024, Open Planet aims to revolutionise the way we tell stories about our changing planet by enabling everyone, everywhere, access to high-quality, scientifically accurate footage – free to use for educational, environmental and impact storytelling. This unprecedented storytelling toolkit will support changemakers, educators, content creators, organisations and decision-makers to tell stories that will drive the changes needed in the next decade.
While the damaging effects of climate change and nature loss are already being felt across the world, credible and inspiring footage documenting the major environmental problems and solutions is scarce, and often rights-restricted or expensive to use. Open Planet was created to change that, unlocking existing barriers faced by global storytellers in scaling up communications about the planetary crisis.
The fast-growing library features powerful footage and data-led visuals produced exclusively for Open Planet, as well as incredible cinematography contributed by world-leading filmmakers and producers, helping to build the most comprehensive free library of climate and nature footage in history.
Developed in collaboration with a global network of industry-leading experts, Open Planet was created by award-winning filmmakers for impact Studio Silverback, part of All3Media, in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University’s CREATE Lab, creators of interactive, data-driven stories about our planet using the EarthTime platform.
“As filmmakers, we know stories can be powerful agents of change, and with the window for action rapidly closing to address the planetary emergency, there’s never been a greater need for compelling, authentic storytelling. Open Planet will not only present the causes and impacts of climate change and nature loss, but also the incredible ingenuity of those driving innovation to keep crucial sustainability targets within reach.”
— Colin Butfield, Executive Director of Studio Silverback and Director of Open Planet
“EarthTime is excited to partner with Open Planet because we believe the combination of compelling on-the-ground video narrative coupled with the best of insightful data visualisations can make the state of the world undeniable. We believe that visually convincing evidence of change, both micro and macro, will move people forward from questioning reality to embracing the fact that we all have an immediate responsibility to act in the best interests of our one planet.”
— Gabriel O'Donnell, Principal Programmer for EarthTime
The announcement of Open Planet coincides with the critical halfway point for implementing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as political leaders gather in New York this week to review progress and accelerate actions towards the crucial 2030 targets.
“At this halfway point of the Sustainable Development Goals, it is crucial to provide all possible tools to supercharge the breakthroughs needed to achieve them. Capturing hearts and minds to motivate action is one powerful way to do so. We welcome this free access to quality, accurate footage that will allow everyone to work together towards a cleaner, healthier planet, and dignity for all.”
— Caroline Petit, Deputy Director for the United Nations Regional Information Centre for Europe (UNRIC)
With thousands of clips freely available to support non-profit, educational and impact projects, start your story today.
Browse
Co-producers of Ocean with David Attenborough, 10% for the Ocean use Open Planet footage to advocate for ocean protection on their social media platforms. In this video, intimate shots of creatures are used to draw viewers into the delicate waters that sustain us.
Produced by Open Planet Studios and supported by Silvania, this film demonstrates the powerful and transformative action that can happen when businesses, communities, and governments come together to protect the planet’s most vital ecosystems: the precious forests of Brazil.
Posted by It’s Live Ocean, this video supports Swim4TheOcean’s campaign to end bottom trawling in New Zealand waters. Using Open Planet’s bottom trawling footage, the film opens with a striking and confronting look at the destruction caused by the practice, before making a passionate case for change.
Drawing on Open Planet footage, this video was made to support scientific research proposing a new climate region: the Hypertropics. A research paper by the University of California, published in Nature, suggests that extreme droughts are becoming increasingly common, exposing trees to deadly stress and weakening their ability to absorb carbon. The footage brings this story to life by contrasting healthy and degraded forests, making the issue more tangible for audiences.