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How Did Rachel Carson Influence The Environmental Movement

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Rachel Carson was a scientist and writer who helped influence the environmental movement, but was brutally attacked for her theories on the harmful effects of pesticides. As a young child, through her mother’s teachings, she was captivated by nature. Although she was intrigued by her natural surroundings, she was an ambitious writer. She studied English at Pennsylvania College, however, changed her major to biology because of her love of science. In the 1950’s she had a growing concern about the poisoning of our common land and water from the use of pesticides. She noticed the demise of many cotton boll weevils, gypsy moths and other pests after the spraying of DDT. She was reluctant to express her worry about the dangers and urged other well-known, influential male writers to take on the task of informing the general public of the hazards of pesticides. Carson encountered many challenges and roadblocks that climate scientists face today. Nonetheless, she took the challenge and wrote the book Silent Spring and expressed the risks and threats of pesticides in the food chain and the natural environment in hopes of making the general public and government aware of these dangers. The similarities with today’s attack on climate science are remarkable. Today, several years after the …show more content…

Deniers including scientists viciously attacked her and called her a murderer. “Carson’s scientific perspective and rigor created a work of substantial depth and credibility that sparked widespread debate within the scientific community and the broader public about the effect of pesticides on the natural world. These discussions led to new policies that protect our air, our water, and, ultimately, our health and safety.” While debate can be good within the scientific community it can place doubt for many

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