KISS THE GROUND: A story of where it all begins
Within the past decade, climate change has been accepted as a global crisis, and this time not only by environmental activists and scientists but by governments and intergovernmental organizations as well. A unified endeavour was initiated immediately, and climate change finally managed to make it into the agendas of even the least curious people, who, as a result of the “peculiar” natural hazards making an appearance in our lives a little more frequently, realized that it is in fact a problem as threatening as war. As much as action is being taken in various areas to treat this disease, the most well-informed people know that the problem, together with the very solution, lies not so far away; not even around the corner indeed: it lies right under our feet.
Kiss the Ground, a collaborative enterprise carried out by scientists and environmental activists, brings into light a very fundamental element that sustains the existence of all living beings on our planet: soil. Those of us who received primary education are surely familiar with the concepts of different natural cycles — carbon cycle being of major importance in our case — and how soil is a component of them. But Kiss the Ground brings to our attention a very simple fact: soil is actually the source of the carbon cycle, and plays a much more crucial role in keeping the carbon levels stable on our planet. The current methods being applied in modern agriculture and usage of pesticides are actually damaging soil’s ability to store carbon. And what comes after this? A massive carbon emission from the soil to the atmosphere. What’s more is that this happens in a cycle in every single ploughing season.
The quality of soil decreases as it is depleted of beneficial organisms via pesticides. And cultivation methods lead to the loss of fertile soil, ultimately resulting in desertification. Luckily, there are a few mindful heroes coming to the rescue. The film displays the stories of a number of people from scientists to activists who have dedicated their lives to the treatment of soil in a better way. The first step is to raise an awareness in both political and agricultural contexts, while making people realize how the food they consume is being produced and how it could be produced in a healthier way. The film does this well by appealing to reason through emotion, reflecting the personal experiences and sincere thoughts of these heroes in an honest way.
With its engrossing flow and eloquent narrative, Kiss the Ground reminds us of a truth that we have long forgotten: Soil is our Mother Earth, and Mother Earth, in the full sense of the word, keeps the home fires burning for every living being — we humans as well. As our future depends on the future of our planet, the documentary makes it clear that the well being of our planet depends on how we will choose to treat our soil.
