Book Pick - Silent Spring

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

Last term, I was able to take a seminar course on environmental health. As someone who is rather environmentally conscious, this course peaked my interest and was what encouraged my further interest in the environment. I have since started doing more research into the topics of environmental health, and decided to read the book Silent Spring.

Silent Spring was a book that had been briefly mentioned in several of my classes. It was written in the 60's by biologist, Rachel Carson. At the time, pesticide usage was becoming more and more of a common occurrence and being found to impact the whole ecosystem where spraying occurred. I would put this into a category of classics - her writing was revolutionary at the time, as new research about the effects of pesticide usage were just starting to come out. This was also crucial to the eventual banning of DDT usage. Her book, from the biologist standpoint, was in many ways the beginning of environmental activism. It clarified the need for people to take climate change problems seriously.

At this point, I would say it is a little bit outdated, and much of the findings are now commonly known in the science field. However, it was very interesting to read and her findings are still relevant. This was the beginning of environmental activism as we know it today, and now it is our responsibility to continue that passion and drive to care for our earth. She showed me the importance of doing your own research and not just letting anyone go about doing anything they want to our precious earth. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us on this planet to care for it, as the lack of care is seen through all levels of the ecosystem. Everything we do has an effect, good or bad. Let's make some good effects happen. After all, let's face it: we could really use it right now!