Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries
of earth are never alone or weary of life. -Rachel Carson
(1907-1964)
Remembering Rachel
From a
spring-melt
water puddle -
memories of Rachel
emerged.
I met her there
many times in my
younger years.
She always
did favor
ocean edges.
Later in life,
I met her there.
Many times.
* * * *
Rachel Carson was fascinated by the ocean.
Silent Spring is one of the early environmental
science books. It was published on September of
1962 (about 4 months after I graduated from
college). I never dreamed that I would ever see
the ocean. I had lived in prairie land. Then, I read
Silent Spring. Her book clearly spelled out the
detrimental effects on the environment of the
indiscriminate use of pesticides. Her statements
meshed and gave validity to my concerns. I
remember how she accused the chemical industry
of spreading disinformation and how public
officials accepted industry claims without question.
In the 1950's, Rachel gave her attention to
conservation, especially to environmental concerns.
Of course, Silent Spring was met with fierce
opposition by chemical companies, but it spurred a
total reversal of our country's pesticide policy. Her
efforts led to a nationwide ban on DDT for agricultural
uses, and inspired an environmental movement that
led to the creation of the U.S Environmental Protection
Agency.
In 2006, Silent Spring was named as one of the 25
greatest science books of all time.
Just recently, I realized that when we were living in
Silver Spring, Maryland, Rachel also lived there!
Unknown to me, we may even have seen her while
shopping at the Woodward & Lothrop Department
Store.
Near the end of her life, she fainted and fell in that
same Woody's.
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