The environment is important, and "Kiss the Ground" agrees
By Gwendolyn Warren, Staff Writer
“Kiss the Ground,” a documentary by Josh Tickell, discusses a way to combat climate change. This documentary, narrated by actor Woody Harrelson, features scientists, American farmers and celebrity climate activists including Ian Somerhalder. Before the credits, the members of Samo’s own Team Marine -- a club focused on environmental issues -- were featured holding posters with inspiring words to promote the change of global warming. The film did an excellent job researching and showing methods developed to fight climate change, leaving the audience to not only acknowledge climate change, but inspire them to do something about it.
The film starts off with the history of agriculture in America, specifically pesticides. The use of pesticides has destroyed about ⅓ of Earth’s topsoil, damaged topsoil is a factor that causes global warming.
The film introduces a technique called biosequestration, which is a way to prevent climate change. This new method involves storing carbon dioxide in the soil. The documentary strongly emphasizes sequestration as a component of fighting climate change, among other niche sustainable processes.
The film uses information they gathered within seven years to voice the environmental crisis that has been going on. This long production time is reflected in the high quality of the film.
Moreover, the documentary was well constructed and stuck to the main idea to save the planet's topsoil. It was interesting to learn about the planet's conditions with evidence to back everything up. It leaves the viewer wanting to participate in improving the environment.
This type of documentary raises awareness to all ages about the issue. It fits well with many environmental activists and as the film highlights environmental catastrophe, it influences others to follow along with the global warming movement. Benjamin Kay, who is the Team Marine advisor and AP Environmental Science teacher at Samo, assigned his students to watch the film to learn about the need to regenerate topsoil. Not only that, but Mr. Kay played an important role in the creation of the film along side other members of Team Marine.
“We were invited by the directors of the movie because they are aware of the Team Marine club and appreciate what we do for the planet in terms of addressing our carbon and plastic footprint. The director invited us to be in this film and my students were featured. It was a good closing of the film that was inspiring and uplifting,” Kay said.
“Kiss the Ground,” does not fail to bring the attention of the significance soil has on fighting climate change. Soil does not only give plants and crops the right amount of nutrients, but it is a factor of becoming a sink for storing carbon. Ultimately, the film is an impactful and informative story that spreads awareness about a lesser known solution to climate change while giving young climate activists a strong voice.
