Documentary Review: 2040 (2019)

2040: The Climate Documentary That Actually Made Me Feel Good

I needed a break from climate doom, so I decided to watch "2040" - and it might be the most refreshing environmental documentary I've seen in years. Directed by Damon Gameau in 2019, this isn't your typical climate film. Instead of spending 90 minutes telling you how screwed we are, it asks a simple question: what if we actually implemented all the climate solutions we already know work?

The premise is brilliant: Gameau writes a letter to his young daughter about what the world could look like in 2040 if we scaled up existing technologies that are already working somewhere. No science fiction - just proven solutions applied globally.

It portrays relentless optimism backed by evidence. The film takes viewers to places where climate solutions are already happening: regenerative agriculture in Australia, seaweed farming that removes carbon while producing food, and rooftop solar programs transforming energy access in developing countries. Gameau's approach is refreshingly honest about the scale of change needed while maintaining it's achievable with existing technology. The documentary doesn't pretend change will be easy, but makes a compelling case that it could improve most people's lives rather than requiring sacrifice.

Six years later, many solutions highlighted in 2040 have scaled dramatically. The film's emphasis on renewable energy has proven prescient - solar and wind are now the cheapest energy sources globally. Regenerative agriculture has gained mainstream adoption, and seaweed farming for carbon removal has become a serious area of climate investment.

What I loved was the focus on solutions addressing multiple problems simultaneously. Urban planning for people instead of cars doesn't just reduce emissions - it creates healthier communities. Food system changes don't just sequester carbon - they produce more nutritious food and support rural livelihoods.

Watching it in 2025, some predictions feel almost conservative. Electric vehicle adoption, renewable costs, and battery storage have exceeded the documentary's projections. Nature-based solutions have become mainstream climate policy, and Indigenous land management practices have gained global recognition.The social changes the film envisioned - community-focused development and local food systems - feel increasingly relevant as people build resilience in their communities.

2040's greatest strength is showing climate action isn't about accepting a diminished future - it's about building a world that works better for everyone. The film demonstrates that many climate solutions are improvements to current systems rather than sacrifices. The documentary doesn't ignore political barriers but doesn't dwell on them either. Gameau shows what's possible and trusts that working examples will inspire broader adoption. Six years later, this strategy seems to have worked.

In a media landscape saturated with climate anxiety, 2040 offers something rare: a vision of success that feels achievable. The film reframes climate change as an opportunity to build a better world rather than just prevent a worse one. If you're feeling overwhelmed by climate news or burned out on environmental messaging that makes you feel guilty, 2040 is the antidote. It's a reminder that we already know how to solve climate change - we just need to do it. And doing it might actually make life better for pretty much everyone.