We’re made from it, buildings can be built from it, it cleans our water, purifies the air, cleans us and can heal our body and mind. In short, it is the ultimate natural resource for all life on earth.

Unfortunately, we’ve lost one third of it in the last 100 years due to agricultural practises, 25% greenhouse gas emissions are coming from a war against it and deadly conflicts are breaking out about our dwindling supply of it.

Flood, drought, climate change and war are all directly related to the way we are treating it …

Let’s talk dirty

I’m talking about dirt, about soil, about Mother Earth’s skin.

In this fascinating film, “Dirt! The movie” I’ve learned so many new things about the dirt beneath our feet. I’ve learned about our relationship with it and how so many of us are ignoring, abusing, and destroying our most precious living natural resource.

Who would have thought 80 minutes of watching something about dirt could have had Mr Green and I captivated!

Life force

We’re warned that if we continue to treat dirt in this way, dirt might find another use for humans - as compost for future life forms.

Yet, if we treat dirt with the respect it deserves and create a sustainable relationship, we can repair the damage we have done and live in co-operation with the planet.

Based on William Logan’s book “Dirt, the Ecstatic Skin of the Earth”, Dirt! The Movie is fast-paced, insightful, educational and delivers humour alongside its serious message.

Global visionaries

In order to create the movie, the film makers, Bill Benenson and Gene Rosow, spoke to over 20 global visionaries who are determined to repair the damage we’ve done. From people replanting forests, seed saving, bringing back biodiversity, farming organically, to inmates who participate in gardening programmes, through to a school head who took up tarmac in the school playground and replaced it with an edible garden for the students every speaker is inspired and passionate.

These are the true earth custodians, the people who will make a difference and they show, with passion, integrity and optimism how easy it is for us to do our bit in order to preserve the living skin of the earth for future generations.

Once you’ve seen the movie, you’ll never look at dirt in the same way again.

Our dirty future

Find or host your nearest screening or keep up with the latest via twitter, facebook or follow their blog.

The team have also put together an excellent education pack, full of information, worksheets and projects for all school years to enjoy as well as some discussion ideas to hold with children after a screening of the movie. Finally, it gives suggestions for how students can get involved with their own community - it’s well worth a look.

“The only remedy for disconnecting people from the natural world is connecting them to it again.”

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