The environment is a key factor that determines the quality of people’s lives. The current changes experienced in the world today have something to do with the integrity of the natural environment (Gallardo & Wang, 2013). Many parts of the world have been recording unprecedented number of typhoons, sandstorms, and tsunamis (Carson, 1962). These extreme events have led to numerous deaths, destruction of infrastructure, and poor lifestyles.
Human beings are affected by different problems that have a connection with the environment. The book “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson seeks to sensitize people about some of the environmental challenges affecting them today. This essay gives a detailed summary and analysis of the book.
Main Theme of the Book
The outstanding message presented by Rachel Carson in her book is that the world is becoming less sustainable and ineffective for human survival. This is a problem that has been caused by the manner in which human beings use different pesticides. The proliferation of insecticides is a development that has defined the world for the past eight decades. Wholesalers and manufacturers of insecticides offer misleading information to their respective customers (Carson, 1962). This kind of malpractice has been observed to destroy the integrity and cleanliness of the natural environment.
The balance of nature, according to the researcher, is something that focuses on various soil, earth, and water cycles. Such cycles have been taking place for centuries. The processes should be conserved to support the lives of many natural organisms. This is the case because the organisms support the balance and integrity of nature (Carson, 1962). Human activities and objectives of business firms have led to the current obliteration of this balance of nature.
Human beings have been observed to engage in a wide range of malpractices that obliterate nature’s balance. According to the text, the use of dangerous pesticides has affected the natural environment negatively. For instance, some of the pesticides manufactured and used for different economic activities have destroyed the environment. This is true because such biocides do not affect the targeted insects or pests (Carson, 1962). This understanding is substantiated using the example of a common product known as DDT. Such chemicals are associated with a process called bioaccumulation. This means that residues accumulate in the environment and eventually result in detrimental events.
Many players in the insecticide business fail to present the right information to their respective customers. This malpractice has led to numerous problems in different environments. The pesticides have the potential to accumulate in the environment and eventually disorient various natural processes and ecosystems (Carson, 1962). The author goes further to acknowledge the fact that the use of various chemicals eventually result in food poisoning. Pesticide poisoning has been observed to cause various illnesses and conditions such as cancer.
The Environmental Message
Every reader who decides to examine the information presented in this book will definitely acknowledge the fact that the use of different chemicals has led to numerous problems. The most important message that can be identified from the book is that the use of different chemicals might be effective, healthy, and friendly. However, the problem emerges when people decide to utilize them indiscriminately. This happens when people use large quantities of such chemicals to achieve the intended results much faster. This kind of overuse has presented counterproductive results or effects (Carvalho, 2017). The malpractice is associated with increased resistance to such pesticides.
When insects or pests develop resistance against a given chemical, it becomes quite unfeasible for people to eliminate them. The continuous use of the chemicals worsens the problem by exposing more people to toxic compounds that are associated with cancers and terminal illnesses (Carson, 1962). This notion can be used to explain why the author does not necessarily discourage people from using some of these chemicals. The outstanding information is that the use of pesticides should be moderated in an attempt to diminish resistance.
The book indicates clearly that the continued use of some of these dangerous chemicals will definitely have negative implications in the future (Carson, 1962). The disorientation of different chemical or biochemical processes in the natural environment will distress the wellbeing of different species. The author acknowledges that man is one of the affected species. When more species become resistant, it becomes hard for human beings to deal with them and overcome the challenges they cause. This situation worsens since most of the chemicals accumulate in the environment. This means more food chains will be affected by such chemicals and eventually result in numerous health challenges.
The author goes further to present the example of malaria as a common disease affecting many populations in every part of the world. Mosquitoes are the causes of this problematic disease. These human pests have been observed to develop resistance to some of the common pesticides. This kind of resistance has disoriented every program implemented to deal with the health condition (Carvalho, 2017). This should therefore be viewed as a warning sign in order to encourage more people to develop evidence-based practices whenever using different chemicals.
The book presents meaningful insights that can be embraced to deal with this challenge. For instance, the idea of minimal use will ensure more insects do not develop resistance to some of the available pesticides. Such chemicals are capable of affecting the ecosystem and killing untargeted species (Carvalho, 2017). This challenge should be used to come up with better procedures to deal with different diseases. The author of the book explains why a biotic strategy or model will ensure more insects and pests are tackled without necessarily having to utilize hazardous compounds.
Agreeing with the Message of the Book
Any person who does not appreciate the issues described in this book is either insensitive or living in a different planet. The global community has realized that the use of different chemicals has led to numerous challenges that affect the overall wellbeing of more people.
The use of herbicides and pesticides is a practice that attracts the attention of professionals in different sectors. Such scientists have observed clearly that most of the pesticides that have been in use within the past few decades have led to numerous environmental quandaries (Carvalho, 2017). For instance, such chemicals have been associated with different problems such as resistance to certain pests, increased incidences of malaria, and poor health outcomes.
The ideas presented in the book are agreeable because they explain why certain conditions such as cancers and tumors have become common than ever before. The number of people affected by such health conditions continues to increase every day. This situation is a clear indication that more people might encounter numerous health challenges in the future (Gallardo & Wang, 2013). The resistance developed by different species has led to numerous financial and economic implications. Most of the products or chemicals manufactured to deal with certain pesticides are costly to develop (Carson, 1962). The developed chemicals are also incapable of killing the identified species or insecticides. This problem must be addressed if more people are to realize their potential.
Alternatives practices such as biotic approaches can discourage more people from using pesticides. This move will ensure such chemicals are no longer present in different food chains. The strategy will safeguard the lives of many people and species that play a significant role in various biochemical processes (Carson, 1962). The themes and messages presented to the reader are therefore meaningful and relevant to many people. Individuals who embrace the information will be in a position to minimize the use of these harmful chemicals.
Relevance of the Addressed Environmental Issues
The work by Rachel Carson has transformed the views and obligations of many stakeholders across the world. The book encourages more people to come up with better ideas and policies in an attempt to protect the natural environment from different forms of destruction. The achievements of the author led to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States. This development is a clear indication that the ideas and discussions presented by the author focused on specific concerns that were identifiable and relevant to many communities (Gallardo & Wang, 2013).
Unfortunately, many pesticides are still being used today. The issue of pesticide resistance has become a major challenge in different sectors and fields. The medical field is struggling to come up with effective approaches to tackle the challenges associated with malaria. The problem has been worsened by the fact that mosquitoes have become resistant to contemporary pesticides. This kind of understanding shows conclusively that the environmental concerns raised in this book are relevant today.
The ideas have led to the identification of better approaches that can be used to deal with certain insects and pests (Carson, 1962). Biotic processes can be embraced since they deliver meaningful results without the use of pesticides.
The environmental concerns raised in the book are critical since they create room for somber discussions. The ethical responsibility of different manufacturers of pesticides has to get attention in the work. It would be appropriate for different companies to ensure the right information is shared with different stakeholders and customers (Gallardo & Wang, 2013). This understanding will make sure more people are aware of the dangers of different pesticides and the best approaches to use them. The book presents new suggestions and alternatives that can be endorsed to conserve the balance of nature.
Conclusion
The environment supports the lives of many species. It also dictates the manner in which different biological and biochemical processes take place naturally. However, mankind has been involved in different malpractices that have disoriented the integrity and structure of the natural environment. The use of different chemicals has led to resistance and destruction of biological processes. Human beings should not overuse different chemicals whenever engaging in various economic activities (Carvalho, 2017). The use of alternative methods to control insects will minimize the dangers of pesticides. These arguments should therefore be embraced to ensure the environment supports every future generation.
References
Carson, R. (1962). Silent spring. Fort Pierce, FL: Houghton Mifflin.
Carvalho, F. (2017). Pesticides, environment, and food safety. Food and Energy Security, 6(2), 48-60. Web.
Gallardo, K., & Wang, Q. (2013). Willingness to pay for pesticides’ environmental features and social desirability bias: The case of apple and pear growers. Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 38(1), 124-139. Web.