Module 1.2 - A Turning Point Event for Environmental Science, Rachel Carson.

1.    Point of View

This documentary of Rachel Carson presents information on how this author exposed a new point of view for the world on the use of pesticides. A newly discovered pesticide was being comfortably and consistently used by man, without the concern of any risks or harm that it could have on the human body. Rachel Carson was an author who published her concerns in a book named Silent Spring. This book challenges the comfort humans had, as she warns society to be mindful of the amount used and how often we use it.

2.    Purpose

This information about Rachel Carson in the documentary educates us on how she had created an environmental movement for society. This is a turning point in history as Rachel helped us better understand our relationship as humans with nature. Silent Spring changed the attitude of how our earth viewed the environment as we had been reckless and careless when it came to the use of pesticides not thinking about the affects this chemical had on our eco systems, ultimately threatening humans.

3.    Questions at Issue

When Rachel released her book Silent Spring, it sparked much controversy as it focused on the negative effects of pesticides which were a huge part of US agriculture at the time during the World War. People questioned the validity of Rachels perspective as it felt like scientific objectivity rather than someone trying to make a positive contribution to the environment. Rachels book was the first time someone has challenged science in this way, which is why it was greatly arguable and had society question if it should be believed.

4.    Information

The newly discovered pesticide was named DDT. It was a chemical that was first synthesized in the 19^th century, and nobody knew what the chemical did until a Swiss chemist discovered it killed insects. The fascination with this pesticide was that it paralyzed & killed insects but did not do the same for humans. We then used this chemical for more than protecting our plants from insects, but we started using it as a defense for our soldiers against international diseases like malaria and typhus. We covered ourselves in this chemical without the concern of how much our bodies can truly handle, before the chemical becomes harmful to man. 

5.    Interpretation and Inference

Controversy of Rachel's Article 

https://www.wpr.org/how-rachel-carson-transformed-our-relationship-natural-world

Enlightening the audience on the history of Rachel Carson, shows us perspective of environmental awareness and just how important it is to understand the possible threats of man when it comes to environmental contamination. Being educated on this topic will open the door on mindfulness with not only pesticides but any other chemical that is be used in defense against nature/the environment in the future. This documentary shows the perspectives on both arguments with Silent Spring,  and clears up Rachels intentions when creating this book. We can now be sure that Rachels perspective was extremely critical in our environmental history. 

6.    Concepts

The theory that we should have balance when using these chemicals is valid, as we were presented this pesticide as something amazing, yet it was harmful to animals and human if consumed by mouth. Anything that cannot be consumed by mouth should be used with great caution it’s the same chemical we use to protect our fruits and veggies. DDT was a wonderful chemical to kill insects but also had impacts on animals that we did not take into consideration. 

7.    Assumptions

It isn’t easy to believe a new perspective, especially in a time where being ‘different’ and having a ‘different perspective’ from others was not deemed as a positive characteristic. It was brave for Rachel Carson to publish such a book in this time. It was a heroic act on her behalf, since her book is the very thing that triggered the creation of new environmental laws. Without Rachels courage we may have continued years of contamination to our eco systems and would not have even thought of the root cause being the pesticides. We are now able to have a healthy relationship with pesticides, being that we need to use pesticides to protect our natural resources. 

8.    Consequences

We now have many laws that protect humans when it comes to using pesticides. These poisons are now controlled and regulated, giving a better future for humans when it comes to the environment. We can move forward in knowing that if there is ever another chemical in the future that we need to use and it involves humans digesting it or using it on their body, we will have more mindfulness and research put into it before we carelessly and recklessly use it. 

Works Cited:

PBS May 28, 2019. Rachel Carson.

 https://www.wpr.org/how-rachel-carson-transformed-our-relationship-natural-world