Chris Packham wants the nation to know the truth – and he hopes his new documentary does just that

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Chris Packham has always believed in speaking honestly. Throughout his career as a naturalist and broadcaster, he’s consistently encouraged people to pay closer attention to the natural world, scientific findings, and how our actions affect the Earth.

In her new documentary, Greenwashed, director Sofía Pineda Ochoa – a Mexican physician who became a filmmaker – joins Chris Packham in asking viewers to examine the environmental movement and its practices.

Packham explained to TopMob that Sofía was the one who asked him to participate in the nearly three-hour movie.

Sofía and I both care about plant-based lifestyles for many reasons. Considering the bigger picture of the film’s goals, I also wanted to address population issues – something I’d previously explored when making my BBC program, ‘7.7 Billion People and Counting’.

Greenwashed challenges common beliefs about environmentalism, questioning whether current “green” initiatives are truly fixing the environmental crisis or simply offering a distraction.

The documentary has aired on 40 public and cultural TV channels across 10 Latin American nations—like Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Uruguay—and is now available for free on YouTube. For Chris Packham, making it easily accessible to everyone is the most important thing.

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With so much misinformation out there, it’s crucial to provide a reliable source of truth. We want to encourage people to think critically about important issues, discuss them openly, and ultimately create positive change. The fact that this information is freely available on YouTube is key – it’s essentially public service broadcasting for everyone.

While the film includes insights from prominent scientists like Sir Partha Dasgupta, William Rees, Dave Goulson, and Claire Kremen, it’s Chris Packham’s personal involvement that truly makes an impact.

Chris Packham explained to TopMob that a current issue is scientists – those who share important data – aren’t effectively reaching the public, or their stories aren’t being widely shared.

As science communicators, we often struggle to share important information in a way that truly connects with people. That’s why programs based on solid science, presenting the latest facts, are so valuable – especially when they’re available to everyone as a public service.

The documentary Greenwashed tackles important issues like veganism and farming animals. It questions whether simply changing what we buy can really fix the planet’s environmental problems, and investigates why the environmental impact of animal agriculture continues to grow even as more people adopt eco-friendly lifestyles.

However, it’s crucial that the documentary Greenwashed doesn’t leave viewers feeling hopeless. Despite difficult issues, Packham highlights plenty of reasons for optimism.

He told TopMob that everyone has the power to make a positive impact. He countered the idea that one person’s efforts are insignificant by pointing out that an ocean is simply made up of many drops. He believes that when one person changes for the better, it inspires others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of positivity and excitement. This positive change spreads, and that’s how real progress happens.

The film highlights practical steps people can take to improve their own lives. However, these individual changes aren’t the ultimate goal – they’re meant to inspire us to demand larger-scale improvements in how our society and economy are structured. It’s about using personal growth as a catalyst for broader political and systemic change.

We’re capable of achieving a lot, and it’s important that we feel good about our work, which helps us collaborate effectively. However, we need to go further. Despite our efforts so far, we haven’t yet been able to influence the people who have the final say.

“And what’s clear from the film is that we’ve got to get to that point soon.”

Packham argues that Greenwashed isn’t just about informing people, but also about empowering them to take action with the information they learn. He told TopMob he believes the film asks viewers to actually use the truth it presents.

We’re now deeply connected to this issue, both as creators and as contributors to its negative aspects. By watching this film and reflecting on these complexities – discussing them with family and friends – people can develop the strength and optimism needed to tackle the problem effectively, because it will become clear that addressing it is crucial.

So, we have two choices: we can handle this ourselves, or we’ll need to rely on others – the people we elect to represent us. Right now, a good thing is that all the false and harmful information spreading on social media is being brought to light.

We have access to a lot of information these days, and that’s a good thing. Knowing what’s happening allows us to take action and make a difference – that’s the core idea behind Greenwashed. It’s about providing people with the knowledge they need to make informed choices, and I believe giving people those choices is crucial, even if they don’t always make the perfect decision.

Greenwashed is available to watch on YouTube.

Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a journalism degree.

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2026-02-27 15:05