Compelling Climate Documentaries
Below are a few powerful and intriguing trailers of climate documentaries that we find particularly compelling: 1) "Native Seeds," 2) "Why on Earth," and 3) "Dirt Rich." The full films can be found through various digital channels, including YouTube.
Kiss the Ground
"Kiss the Ground" is an inspiring and visually compelling documentary that explores how regenerative agriculture could be one of the most powerful tools we have to combat climate change. Narrated by Woody Harrelson, the film shifts the climate conversation from despair to hope by focusing on how restoring soil health can rebalance the carbon cycle, restore ecosystems, and build resilience in farming communities around the world. The documentary dives into the science of soil, explaining how practices like cover cropping, composting, no-till farming, and rotational grazing can turn degraded land into carbon sinks, pulling carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in the ground. It features farmers, scientists, activists, and policy experts who are leading the charge in this movement. What makes "Kiss the Ground" stand out is its message: we don’t have to invent new technology to address climate change. We just have to work with the Earth, not against it.
Native Seeds: Supplying Restoration
“Native Seeds: Supplying Restoration” is a comprehensive nine-part video series that intricately explores the native seed supply chain across the western United States. Spanning four seasons of compelling footage, the series illuminates the often-overlooked champions of conservation: seed collectors, farmers, researchers, and land managers, each steadfastly committed to augmenting the availability of native seeds to satisfy the increasing exigencies of ecological restoration. Through this insightful journey, viewers will confront the profound devastation inflicted upon our landscapes, while simultaneously witnessing the resilience and ingenuity of those dedicated to devising innovative strategies for ecosystem renewal.
Why On Earth
The 2022 documentary "Why on Earth," narrated by Clint Eastwood, examines the intricate interconnectedness between humans, animals, and the planet, highlighting the detrimental impacts of deforestation and the illegal wildlife trade on endangered species such as elephants, lions, and orangutans. Directed by Katie Cleary, the film showcases the inspiring efforts of conservationists dedicated to preserving biodiversity and the delicate balance of ecosystems. It delivers a powerful call to action, urging individuals and communities to adopt plant-based diets, reduce consumption of deforestation-related products, and support wildlife conservation initiatives for a sustainable future.
Dirt Rich
"Dirt Rich," a 2018 documentary, incisively examines the transformative potential of soil as a formidable ally in the fight against climate change. The film adeptly highlights a spectrum of carbon sequestration strategies—commonly referred to as carbon drawdown—that encompass regenerative agriculture, reforestation, and biochar production, all aimed at capturing and sequestering atmospheric carbon within the earth. By shifting the narrative from a focus on greenhouse gas emissions to the imperative of carbon drawdown, "Dirt Rich" articulates what may be the sole viable pathway to reversing the impacts of unchecked global warming within a critical timeframe. Through the exploration of geo-therapy methods, the documentary not only underscores the inherent value and beauty of these techniques but also posits them as our last, vital hope for preserving the integrity of life on our beleaguered planet.