Rachel Carson is such a significant figure in heightening public health awareness about environmeantal health .
Rachel Carson, "Silent Spring" 1962
A marine biologist and writer, Rachel Carson is considered the founder of the contemporary environmental protection movement. Rachel Carson's Silent Spring was published in 1962. it generated a storm of controversy over the use of chemical pesticides.She drew attention to the adverse effects of pesticides, especially that of DDT on bird populations, Throughout her book are numerous case studies documenting the harmful effects that chemical pesticides have on the environment. Along with these facts, she explains how the pesticides have done more harm than good in eradicating the pests they were designed to destroy. In addition to her reports on pesticide use, Miss Carson points out that many of the long-term effects that these chemicals may have on the environment, as well as on humans, are still unknown.
A marine biologist and writer, Rachel Carson is considered the founder of the contemporary environmental protection movement. Rachel Carson's Silent Spring was published in 1962. it generated a storm of controversy over the use of chemical pesticides.She drew attention to the adverse effects of pesticides, especially that of DDT on bird populations, Throughout her book are numerous case studies documenting the harmful effects that chemical pesticides have on the environment. Along with these facts, she explains how the pesticides have done more harm than good in eradicating the pests they were designed to destroy. In addition to her reports on pesticide use, Miss Carson points out that many of the long-term effects that these chemicals may have on the environment, as well as on humans, are still unknown.
In her book "Silent Spring," a 1963 National Book Association Nonfiction Finalist. At a time when technological solutions were the norm, she pointed out that man-made poisons introduced into natural systems can harm not only nature, but also humans. Her book met with great success and heightened public awareness on DDT, and DDT was banned. Several environmental interest groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Wilderness Society, and the Environmental Defense Fund were formed after the publication of Silent Spring. Additionally, many believe that the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970, can largely be attributed to the "concerns and the consciousness" that Rachel Carson raised in her book .
Silent Spring helped to expose the hazards of chemical pesticide use, and draw public attention to environmental issues that had never really been addressed before. Silent Spring brought environmental issues to the attention not just of industry and government; it brought them to the public, and put our democracy itself on the side of saving the Earth. The onslaught of environmental legislation that occurred after the publication of Silent Spring allowed environmentalism to find credibility in our society, and its practice to become a permanent force in public policy. These describes why Rachel Carson is considered to be such a significant figure in heightening public awareness about environmental health.
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