From the toxic tar sands of Alberta to the frequently flooded streets of Miami Beach, from the smog-choked avenues of Beijing to the incinerated forests of Indonesia, Leonardo DiCaprio meets with scientists, politicians, and activists to face the facts: natural disasters are becoming more frequent, wildlife is vanishing, communities are being destroyed. What is to be done?

This isn’t the first environmental documentary and it won’t be the last. But DiCaprio’s charisma makes it one of the most accessible. His passion and inquisitiveness radiate in his blunt talk and genuine curiosity. Before the Flood shows us the beauty and diversity of our world. Perhaps it galvanizes us to do whatever it takes to save the planet — and ourselves.