Effective Use Of Chemical Pesticides In Silent Spring, By Rachel Carson

Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” was published in 1962. It was a book that would transform the ages of environmental awareness. The way Carson talks and analyses the way pesticides harm the environment, wildlife, and human species makes the reader feel the pain that it is being suffered by everyone involved. Rachel Carson starts out by talking about an imaginary town that has gone silent due to the chemicals introduced by mankind. The once prosperous town was field with the sounds of singing birds and visitors that came to see the beautiful scenery. Then one spring there were no birds, no visitors, no fisherman in the streams, and families were getting sick. (Carson, 1962, p.3) As the book moves forward chemical pesticides are discussed and the impact that they have on the environment.

Natural enemies of insects could be used to control their population. Spiders are a prime example of natural enemies because a single web of some spider species can destroy over 18 months and average of 18,000 insects. (Carson, 1962, p.295) “Silent Spring” brought to light to people that never knew of the dangers of chemicals. The numerous examples that were given through the book of different chemicals and the effects on wildlife and humans brought home. The introduction of the book captured the audience in an unusual way by making a town sound so beautiful and then having it destroyed by man through the use of chemicals. She ended her book in a good way by explaining what else could be done in order to control insects. There were not any instances in “Silent Spring” that Carson was not in control. One must remember that at the time the human population was knew to chemicals and the world has an issue with disease carried by insects. While the truth about the chemicals applied was soon realized, the fact is they still help in some way or form at the beginning of using