Rachel Carson’s Impact on the Environmen

Rachel Carson published Silent Spring in 1962, and was approached by a roar of protest and approval. The book helped start the first real and effectual environmental movement. Carson concentrates on a commonly used pesticide in the 1960s called DDT. She opposed the spraying of DDT because she realized that it has profound consequences on the environment. DDT impacts the environment in numerous ways.

The use and overuse of synthetic chemicals to control insect pests introduces chemicals into the air, water, and soil and into the food chain where they can harm animals and humans, and disrupt the food web. ‹'In nature nothing exists alone."(11) In nature everything has a cycle. One disruption can cause a problem in the entire food chain. ‹ Carson's other books all focus on nature's strength and the interconnectedness of nature and all living things. ‹ ‹But DDT exposed the vulnerability of nature and this influenced the writing of Silent Spring. DDT was the most powerful pesticide in the world at the time when Rachel wrote Silent Spring. Unlike most and if not all pesticides, whose effectiveness is limited to destroying one or two types of insects, DDT has the potential to kill hundreds of different kinds at once which produces a negative impact on the environment. ‹'The rapidity of change and the speed with which new situations are created follow the impetuous and heedless pace of man, rather than the deliberate pace of nature." (7) Developed in 1939, it first distinguished itself during World War II, clearing South Pacific islands of malaria-causing insects for U.S. troops, while in Europe being used as an effective delousing powder.

The chemical pesticides used in farming affect the quality of water because of run off which then go into lakes or rivers. In chapter four, Carson concentrates on the water pollution caused by pesticides. DDT could possibly be on the pesticides. The pollution can be unsafe for use and causes fish to die. An example used is a study done by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 1960 that showed that the waters have become almost universally contaminated with insecticides. The pesticides are especially threatening to groundwater which is an important source of drinking water for humans. Consequently, the chemicals in pesticides can cause cancer and other harm effects on our health.

The over use of DDT, dieldrin and other pesticides will eventually poison the entire world of living things. Rachel Carson not only recognizes the severity of the chemicals usage but recognizes the effect of substance use on a community. Carson helps to change this way of thinking by offering solutions to the existing problems. She helps to show that nature will take care of nature. Many times the best solutions are the introduction of other plants or animals.

Overall, the use of DDT shouldn't be looked into using unless extremely necessary. Cancer is a disease more life threatening than malaria and typhus. Vaccines are a great resource in helping people overcome many different types of illnesses. The use of DDT is highly not recommended because it has more cons than pros. People who are considering the use of DDT should look into Rachel Carson's essays.

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