8 Things To Learn From “Kiss The Ground” On Netflix

Now available on Netflix, “Kiss The Ground” explores the relationship between the earth’s soil and climate change – so what can we learn from the documentary? 

Let’s be clear about one thing though – it’s about far more than dirt. Narrated by American actor and environmentalist Woody Harrelson, the latest offering from the streaming giant focuses on the relationship between traditional agricultural practices, ongoing soil degradation, and how it relates to global warming. 

The documentary combines the star power of environmentally conscious celebrities such as Tom Brady, Giselle Bunchen, Ian Somerhalder and Patricia Arquette with scientists, farmers, and agronomists to provide a simple solution to a big (and complex) problem – climate change. While the logic is quite straightforward, what else can we learn from the people and the science behind “Kiss The Ground”?  

8 Things To Learn From “Kiss The Ground”

The film argues that regenerative farming practices, carbon sequestration and ultimately healthier soil can not only help to reduce global emissions, but to press rewind on the damage that humans have inflicted on the planet. 

Directed by award-winning filmmakers Josh and Rebecca Tickell, the team behind 2008’s groundbreaking “Fuel”, present viewers with a combination of real life success stories and science in a positive and hopeful manner, while still hammering home the dangers of ignoring climate change – and the viewer learns a few surprising facts along the way. 

Carbon Isn’t Bad – Most of us assume that global carbon dioxide emissions are the major issue with climate change, when in fact – it’s not. It’s because the carbon isn’t able to be absorbed back into the soil where it belongs via sequestration.

Desertification Is A Big Problem – When soil is damaged, carbon heads up into the atmosphere instead of into the dirt. The soil dries out, and turns to dust, with the process called desertification – and is predicted to displace over 50 million people globally in the next decade. 

There’s Money In Regeneration – On average, American farmers get a $0.10 to $3.00 profit per acre. When compared to Gabe Brown’s regenerative farming practices as seen in the film, he is raking in $100 profit per acre thanks to crop diversification and healthier soil. 

Transpiration Is Good – While 60% of the world’s rainfall comes from the ocean, 40% comes from transpiration, or the water held by plants and trees inland. As we continue to clear land at an unprecedented rate globally, temperatures are increasing while rainfall drops. 

Poor Soil Increases Poverty – According to Zimbabwean ecologist Allan Savory, “poor land leads to poor people, and poor people leads to social breakdown. Poor land also leads to increasing frequency of floods, droughts, and mass immigration across international borders.”

Tilling Increases Carbon Emissions – Ray Archuleta, a leading agronomist at the NRCS, shows farmers during a workshop the mass increase of carbon emissions during American tilling season of April and May, as the soil releases the compound into the atmosphere. 

Government Subsidies Aren’t Helping – The US government issues subsidies for crops used exclusively for feedlot livestock, which equates to $25 billion annually. As farmers are guaranteed a profit with less risk and set prices, there’s little incentive for regenerative practices. 

Everybody Can Help – In San Francisco, locals have been incentivised to embrace recycling and limiting food waste. The landfill operators actually make compost from the city’s food scraps, which is in turn sent to farms to use as a way to encourage organic matter in the soil. 

Want To Learn More About Sustainable Land Management?

As more of us start to ask questions about what we bring into our homes, gardens and bodies, educational and insightful documentaries such as “Kiss The Ground” become more mainstream. The good news is that changing the world often starts small, and usually at home. 

Whether you’re on the hunt for more tips with how to start gardening more efficiently at home, or further insights regarding an alternative for chemical based plant food, fertilisers or weed killers – then it’s always worth speaking to the professionals. 

Here at Bioweed, we specialise in environmentally friendly gardening products, including herbicides, plant probiotics, and natural alternatives to traditional gardening solutions. Should you have any questions about how to improve the sustainability of your home, garden or agricultural crop, get in touch with us today.