Rachael Carson Jump-Started the Modern Environmental Movement

Rachael Carson (1907-1964)

Rachael Carson's 1962 book Silent Spring argued that uncontrolled use of pesticides was harming or even killing animals and humans. The title evokes an image of a spring season without the songs of birds because they had been destroyed by pesticide abuse. The book documented the detrimental effects of pesticides on the environment, particularly birds. Carson accused chemical manufacturers of a disinformation campaign and public officials of accepting their claims blindly.  Carson was not calling for a ban on pesticides.  Rather, she advocated responsible, managed use with an emphasis on giving consideration to the potential impact chemical's could have on our environment.  She concludes her argument on DDT in Silent Spring by recommending that the pesticide be used as sparingly as possible to limit the degree of resistance that insect's development to it.  Rachael Carson's book is often credited with jump-starting the modern environmental movement.

 

A Brief History of Global Temperature Change

Scientist believe that the warmest global temperature average in the last 2,000 years prior to the 20th century probably occurred between 950 and 1100.  Warmer than average temperatures continued until about 1250.  This period, called the Medieval Global Temperature Optimum, was probably significantly below global temperatures since 1980 although some regional temperatures appear to have matched or exceeded recent levels in these regions.  A period of much cooler global temperatures followed the Medieval Global Temperature Optimum.  This period, usually referred to as the Little Ice Age, is generally considered to stretch from about 1350-1850.  Temperatures were cooler, arctic pack and Greenland's glaciers extended southward, and agriculture in Europe and North America was hindered and in many cases, devastated.

Many people today believe that humans are responsible for global warming.  While the evidence indicates that we may well be accelerating the process, the graph above clearly shows that temperature change is a natural occurrence.  Mankind may be able to slow the process if we curb our dependence on fossil fuel and continue to be sensitive to other factors that affect our atmosphere but natural forces will continue to have the greatest influence on our environment and we will never change that.

Catastrophic Event - The Dust Bowl

Some people argue that the Dust Bowl, a period of drought and dust storms which began in 1935, was a man-made disaster.  The fact is that agricultural practices of the day made matters worse, but drought is a common occurrence and so are dust storms, especially in arid countries or areas of sparse ground cover.  Dust storms pose a significant health hazard, especially to the young, the old, and to people with certain preexisting conditions.  Large particles in the dust cloud can be ingested aggravating digestion.  Smaller particles can be inhaled causing breathing problems, especially for people with compromised respiratory health.  Blowing dust also poses a hazard to the eyes.  Of course, livestock and wildlife are vulnerable to these same hazards.  Water and food is easily contaminated by airborne dust particles as well, making it difficult to remain hydrated, nourished, and healthy.  In addition, consider the psychological toll of endless storms that block the sun and a house you just can't keep clean.

Health Care Issues

 Visit http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/downloads/dust_storms_and_health.pdf for more on this subject.  This website is published by the Provincial Government of Victoria, Australia.  The farms and ranches of Victoria are subject to frequent dust storms.  The site addresses health issues and precationary measures to take in the event of a dust storm.

An Environmental Health Issue

 of Particular Interest to Me

I have previously investigated the scarcity of clean water as it relates to diarrhea, especially in developing countries.  I would like learn more about other diseases and maladies attributed to or aggravated by inaccessibility to clean water. 

Clean Water is Extremely Scarce in Africa

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 65 % of people in the shaded areas had no access to an improved water source in 2004.  Even in the Great Rift Valley (indicated by the black line) where there are numerous large fresh water lakes, clean water is a scarce commodity.