Rachel Carson's Impact On Society

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Planit Earth when seen from the vast vacuum of outer space stands as a testament to the remarkable phenomenon called life. When viewed from a far Earth appears resolute like a resting marble. However, in reality, this marble of life is under constant change. This constant change is relatively normal and promotes an equal balance in the ecosystem over time. However, over the past hundred years, this balance has shifted. Human beings are now affecting the environment in major ways. In the past humans have lived their lives in ignorance, unaware of their impact on the earth 's environment. The ignorance of past generations is excusable to a point. However, the idiocracy that exists in society today is unforgivable. For decades, humans have studied …show more content…

Her work as a writer, scientist, and ecologist became the heartbeat of the movement. According to a biography written by Linda Lear found at the website rachelcarson.org/bio, Carson was always a lover of nature. Studying marine biology, she attended and graduated from college at the Pennsylvania College for Women. She went on to receive her masters in zoology from Johns Hopkins University in 1932. She was hired by the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries. From there she worked in the federal service as a scientist and editor. In 1936, she was haired as the "Editor-in-Chief of all publications for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Lear)." This gave her years of experience and provided a background of credibility that would aid her in the years to come. In 1941, Carson published her first book titled, "Under the Sea-Wind." This was followed by her second book, "The Sea Around Us" published in 1952. That same year she resigned from the government to spend more time on her writing. In 1955, she published her third book, "The Edge of the Sea." These books made a name for Carson and developed a better understanding of the interworking 's of the ocean. Carson 's work and research made waves in society and its culture. However, what is arguably Carson 's greatest accomplishment was the publishment of her fourth book titled "Silent Spring." Published in 1962, "Silent Spring" focuses on Carson …show more content…

In the article "The Obligation to Endure", an excerpt from "Silent Spring", Carson focuses on her major concerns with the environment. For millennia, Mother Nature was the lone modifier that possessed the ability to shape the environment. In turn, this caused species to adapt for survival. However, with the birth of man, the delicate balance has shifted. Humans now possess the ability to alter the makeup of their environment. This is a power that shouldn 't be taken lightly or abused. However, humans are often blind to corruption until it 's too late, and so the inevitable happened. Man abused its power and failed to see the consequences. This is an overarching concern of Carson, "The most alarming of all man 's assaults upon the environment is the contamination of air, earth, rivers, and sea with dangerous and even lethal materials (Carson)." The chemicals dumped into rivers the pollution pumped into the air. The toxic radiation released from nuclear explosions in the form of Strontium 90. The endless pesticides sprayed on crops and trees. All of these are the weapons used in "man 's war against nature

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