Who is Rachel Carson?

StacieT69, Do your homework! The EPA banned DDT for several reasons including the devastating impact it had on humans, animals, and birds. Besides, Rachel Carson was a naturalist, environmentalist, and scientist... not just a writer. She knew what she was talking about, but women were not always considered credible. Her agenda was to inform people of the impact of harmful chemicals and push for sustainable change. I remember DDT being aerially sprayed for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever ticks. It pushed Bald Eagles onto the endangered species list because DDT made their shells too soft (fragile) to last to hatching without breaking and the population plummeted. Did you even read Silent Spring?

We need environmentalists now more than ever!

StacieT69, bald eagles, osprey, peregrine falcons nearly went extinct in the USA due to DDT, it was turning up in human breast milk and is believed to a carcinogen. Plus, it's still being used today for disease control in Africa and Asia (ie. where malaria is prevalent) so she only stopped it from being used in areas where it didn't need to be used to begin with.

So this DDT . The truck use to come through our neighborhood and spray for mosquitos . I don't remember how often but I remember following it and loving that smell. it was in the 60's. My parents obviously didn't know how harmful it was or my Mother would have been down at the town hall raising hell.

the picture of the dollar bill messed me up smh

Sure wish the powers that were in charge took her advice sooner

Alderheart, I completely agree with you! I read SILENT SPRING in college. Excellent book! She was ahead of her time. I remember back in the 1960's, while visiting my grandparents in Lake Tahoe, having to rush through the house, shutting all the windows whenever the DDT truck came spraying down the street. This was about twice a week. Imagine being outside in those clouds of poison!

She is most known for being an environmentalist, not saying her writing was insignificant it was her thoughts that identity her popularity

So - primarily a scientist who wrote an important book.

DDT and Dieldrin. Both deadly and both banned for good reason

Player #2724832, I did it too. Late 60s to early 70s. Had to have SOME effect.

we don't need more environmentalists. We need the powers that be around the world to not just listen but to understand and then do something about it. the planet is showing us that we are killing it

Another great person from Pennsylvania!!

Alderheart, I read it in middle school.

She was primarily a scientist but her writing style was also beautiful, engaging and accessible, getting her message out. She documented the idea that pollutants can become systemic in an ecosystem & flow through the food web. Nonetheless, we are still killing pollinators & sickening our children with chemicals like neonics.

Just saw Nova about eagles and they were discussing DDT and it’s impact on these magnificent birds. Also showing people spraying humans with the poison. one shot was of someone holding a woman’s dress out from her body and pointing and spraying it underneath her clothing in a billow of spray; also spraying people in a swimming pool.They had to have known about this doing experimentation of this chemical!

amarie29, She is from Western Pennsylvania. There is a bridge named for her in downtown Pittsburgh.

Centenarian, I

Rachel Carson always a hero to me, as she should be for all humans. May we all do such good works in our lives however small or large, for the betterment of current and generations to come

Player #2724832, we called him "The Smoke Man." All the parents called their kids in when he was out, but that was at dusk so we went in for dinner as well. But I remember the smell, too.

Alderheart, I live in Lakeville Massachusetts where it's common to see an eagle flying, carrying a BIG branch to fix it's nest. The town installed super tall posts with platforms for the big birds' safe nesting. It's hypnotic to watch them soaring on the hot wind currents in summer.

why on front of a twenty.

RudeHippy2238, my father brought homes cans occasionally from the base. dark greenish spray cans

fantastic question. learned something today

Harrisburg PA has a peregrine falcon nest on the 16th floor of a building (Dept of Environmental Protection) that has since been named the Rachel Carson Building.

Me, Probably Camille or Donna. My family lived on the gulf coast and the mosquitos were always unbearable after a hurricane. So the DDT trucks were comparable to the snow plow trucks you see up north in the winter.

FaithfulReader, I honestly don't think so. There are connections....both are environmental calamities, but different calamities.

WarTuo0ThPik, Every one completely 100% natural....as are hydrogen cyanide and botulinum toxin.

HAND ✋ SPASMS !!! Punched the wrong answer !!!

Montana Lady, California condor too, iirc.

I remember my grandfather telling me after Hurricane Betsy or Camille, he had to spray DDT to stop the spread of disease and control mosquitoe populations where they lived...

Alderheart, Thank you for your great information.

Alderheart, yes I have made a big impact on me try to eat as organic as I can.

RudeHippy2238, glad to hear!! 64 here 😊

Player #2724832, yea ! me & neighborhood kids loved running in the fog till it out ran us . i have no idea how many times we did this ! I just hope all the orher kids are ok!!

Montana Lady, oh wow

GRILLCHEES, So true

I remember that too. she she have won the Nobel Peace Prize for her good work.

Player #2724832, we also had that truck come to the neighborhood for the mosquitos. 61 years and still here.