USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The overarching theme of Silent Spring is the powerful-and often negative-effect humans have on the natural world. Carson’s main argument is that pesticides have detrimental effects on the environment; she says these are more properly termed “biocides” because their effects are rarely limited to solely targeting pests.

Detailed explanation-2: -Silent Spring took Carson four years to complete. In it she detailed how DDT entered the food chain. A single application on a crop, she wrote, killed insects for weeks and months, not only the targeted insects but countless more, and remained toxic in the environment even after it was diluted by rainwater.

Detailed explanation-3: -Silent Spring was met with fierce opposition by chemical companies, but it spurred a reversal in national pesticide policy, 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.

Detailed explanation-4: -In 1962, Rachel Carson published her book Silent Spring and exposed the problems of DDT. Despite her training as a biologist, Carson did not conduct original research to uncover new information about pesticides.