Rachel Carson created an ecological science in our history starting with the movement of her classical book entitled, Silent Spring (1962). She painted the idyllic picture of the negative effects of pesticides, herbicides, and DDT against our environment. In spite of the fact that her work was thoroughly documented, the book ignited a firestorm of criticism from the chemical and agricultural establishment. Even respected institutions such as the American Medical Association joined in the attack against her. Despite the criticism, Carsons book caught the publics eye. Somehow the book found its way into The Oval Office. In 1963, John F. Kennedys committee made recommendations that fully supported Carsons thesis. Hearings were held which also was followed by debates, and Carsons voice was joined by others who called for new policies to deal not only with pesticides, but also with air and water pollution and more protection for wild areas. Her efforts brought about a change to the economy. In 1969, a bill called Environmental Policy Act, was passed. President Richard Nixon was appointed to study environmental policies which recommended the creation of a new agency (Environmental Protection Agency - EPA) that would be responsible for dealing with air, water, solid waste, the use of pesticides, and radiation standards. In that same year, 20 million Americans celebrated the first Earth Day. In what must have been seen as a triumph of Rachel Carsons work, DDT was banned in the United States and most other industrialized countries in the early 1970s. Unfortunately, Rachel Carson did not live long after her world-shaking book was published; she died of breast cancer in 1964. However, she is credited not only with major reforms in pesticide policy, but with initiating an environment awareness that eventually led to the modern environmental movement and the creation of the EPA.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 14:06:36 +0000