Silent Spring written by Rachel Carson was the spark to a great controversy over the use of pesticide ever since it was published in 1962. This novel was a great influence over the abuse of chemical insecticides and succeeded in banning some dangerous chemicals such as DDT from the United States. Even though Silent Spring chastised the use of these chemicals, Carson never intended that all of the pesticides should be banned, instead the use of them should be controlled to prevent harm to the ecosystem. “‘It is not my contention that chemical insecticides should never be used,” she wrote. “I do contend that we have put poisonous and biologically potent chemicals indiscriminately into the hands of persons largely or wholly ignorant of their potential for harm...
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In a section of chapter 6 in Silent Spring, Carson focuses on the spraying of roadsides’ sages and the negative impact that follows. Spraying the sages on the roadsides can result in other plants accidently getting sprayed. Once these other plants, ranging from wildflowers to large trees, die off, the small animals that lived in those plants would either die also or relocate. The larger carnivores would then have nothing to eat also, so they’d have to do the same as the small animals; either die off or relocate. “But as the herbicides rain down on forest and field, on marsh and rangeland, they are bringing about marked changes and even permanent destruction of wildlife habitat” (Carson pg. 74). Now, that the surrounding wildlife and plants are gone, the area would be dull, silent, and not very appealing to tourists. Instead of attracting tourists, the abuse of these chemicals on the roadsides will do just the opposite. These chemicals impact not only the plants, but the life that surrounds
In a section of chapter 6 in Silent Spring, Carson focuses on the spraying of roadsides’ sages and the negative impact that follows. Spraying the sages on the roadsides can result in other plants accidently getting sprayed. Once these other plants, ranging from wildflowers to large trees, die off, the small animals that lived in those plants would either die also or relocate. The larger carnivores would then have nothing to eat also, so they’d have to do the same as the small animals; either die off or relocate. “But as the herbicides rain down on forest and field, on marsh and rangeland, they are bringing about marked changes and even permanent destruction of wildlife habitat” (Carson pg. 74). Now, that the surrounding wildlife and plants are gone, the area would be dull, silent, and not very appealing to tourists. Instead of attracting tourists, the abuse of these chemicals on the roadsides will do just the opposite. These chemicals impact not only the plants, but the life that surrounds