Essay about Summary: Environmentalism and Carson

Submitted By sidarcenciel
Words: 509
Pages: 3

Homework 1
10/14/2013

Environmental Law "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson was published in 1962 and was one of the first articles to create the environmentalist’s movement. This article describes the human actions that destroy the planet and all of its life by the use of pesticides. These things are little but are poisonous. The little things that people did after the World War II, like the pesticides not only infect the pests they were intended for, but also other plants, animals, and even human kind. Carson believes an existing balance in nature and the use of these chemicals upsets, so her book focuses on the significant need of equilibrium within the environment. Carson says "Where spraying destroys not only the insects but also their principle enemy, the birds. When later there is resurgence in the insect population, as almost always happens, the birds are not there to keep their numbers in check" (Carson 113). She examines the manner poisonous chemicals have been utilized without enough research for their potential prejudice to wildlife, water, soil, and humans. That is creating an evil chain of poisoning and death. The over use of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dieldrin and other pesticides eventually damaged the world most important living creatures. In “Silent Spring”, not only recognizes the severity of the chemicals usage but recognizes the effect of substance use on a community. It helped people to

2 look at the whole picture, to look into the future instead of the now. Carson helps to change this way of thinking. Carson’s Silent Spring was a critical turning point in history which attracted people’s attention to the issues of the environment. Geary says that Carson’s work was a “marker for the beginning of the modern American environmental movement” (Geary). Carson was a revolutionary and had an influential power. Silent Spring highlighted many of the damages done to the environment by the use of pesticides (Kelly). This of course, attracted many scientists to begin researching the issue but had other benefits as well. Her work was so intriguing and influential that “the vibrations of [her] work resounded not only in academia but also in the