Rachel Carson's 1962 book Silent Spring documented the damaging effects of the pesticide DDT and sparked the environmental movement. It described how DDT and other chemicals spread through the environment, accumulated in animals and humans, and caused harm, including cancer and genetic damage. While met with immense protest from the chemical industry, the book also received admiration and influenced the formation of the EPA and the banning of DDT in the US. It continues to be highly influential in environmentalism.

1. A presentation on
Silent Spring
By
Nishat Falgunee
Course 514: Biodiversity and Conservation
Department of Geography and Environment

2. • Silent spring is a book, written by Rachel
Carson in 1962
• It documented the many damaging
effects of a popular pesticide called
DDT
• The book absolutely revolutionized
environmentalism
• Upon publication, it was met with both
immense protest and admiration
Introduction

3. Rachel Carson
• Born on may 27, 1907
• Since childhood she loved
books and reading, and
wanted to become a writer
• She intended on majoring
English and become a
writer
• Her biology teacher
ignited her mind to
become a marine biologist

4. Rachel Carson
• Radio script writer for US Bureau of Fisheries
(temporary)
• Later joined US Bureau of Fisheries as a
junior scientist and rose to chief publication
officer by 1949.
• Published journal and newspaper articles
regularly
• Published 1st book in 1941
• She took early retirement from government
service to become a full time science writer

5. • Carson decided to write the book as a
reaction to USDA Fire Ant
Eradication Program 1957
• She was recruited by Audubon
Society for research
• The impetus for Silent Spring was a
letter written in 1958 by Olga Owens
Huckins, to The Boston Herald,
describing the death of birds from
the aerial spraying of DDT
Context of Writing the Book

6. Chapters of the Book
• A Fable for Tomorrow
• The Obligation to Endure
• Elixirs of Death
• Surface Water and
Underground Sees
• Realms of Soil
• Earth’s Green Mantle
• Needless Havoc
• And No Birds Sing
• Rivers of Death
• Indiscriminately from the
Skies
• Beyond the Dreams of
Borgias
• The Human Price
• Through A Narrow Window
• One in Every Four
• Nature Fights Back
• The Rumblings of an
Avalanche
• The Other Road

7. • Adverse impacts of insecticides
• Description of chemicals
• Death of birds, animals and children due to
bioaccumulation of DDT
• Spread in water, soil and food
• Cause of cancer and genetic damages
• Ineffectiveness due to resistant species
and destruction of natural enemies
• Everyday use chemicals are dangerous
• Corruption in the government and
responsible authorities
Findings

8. Recommendations
• Stop mass spraying and indiscriminate use
• Limited use of less poisonous chemicals in small doses
• Limited use of everyday chemicals
• Cancer prevention rather than cure
• Research should be focused on alternative ways that
protect environment, not on creating deadlier chemicals
• Proper information should be given to the users
regarding the side effects of all chemicals

9. •Male fertilization by radiation (X-ray, Gamma radiation)
•Male sterilization by chemical injection of insect food
•Utilizing insects own life process
Juvenile hormones
Sex attracting secretions
Repellant sounds
Viral and bacterial enemies
Natural enemies
Recommendations

10. On June 3rd, 1963, Rachel Carson gave her testimony before
president John F. Kennedy’s science advisory committee, which
submitted a report largely backing her scientific claims.
Legacy

11. • Deep ecology movement and eco-feminism
• Environmental defense fund in 1967
• 1970- DDT was banned
• US EPA was formed
•DDT remained the most important international issue for the next
50 years
•Silent Spring’s influence lives on in many ways
•In these regards, Carson's work continues to shake the world
Legacy

12. Silent Spring has been featured in many
lists of the best nonfiction books of the
twentieth century. In the Modern
Library List of Best 20th-Century
Nonfiction it was at number 5. It was at
number 78 in the National Review's 100
best non-fiction books of the 20th
century.In 2006, Silent Spring was
named one of the 25 greatest science
books of all time by the editors of
Discover Magazine.
Legacy

13. Positive reactions
• The book sold 500000 copies
worldwide
• Protests for environmentalism
increased
• JFK changed federal law because
of Carson’s book
• Spawned dozens of educational
and exploratory books

14. Negative reactions
• When CBS decided to air a special on the
book, they were flooded with letters,
asking them not to air it
• Smear campaign
• Sexism- but her reaction to this was
inspiring

15. Raise your Voice