Introduction
The study of the environment is known as environmental science. It is the study of how living things interact with non-living objects, with a focus on how anthropogenic activities (or human impact) affect the environment. This blog will examine how it came to be a topic and discuss Rachel Carson’s 1962 book, Silent Spring.
Is Environmental Science a new subject?
Environmental science has a long history. It is difficult to distinguish between the current condition of the cosmos and its early phases without knowing the fundamental interactions between the earliest species and their surroundings. We can identify vulnerabilities and attempt to lessen the effects of those elements to improve performance by using environmental research to forecast changes in the climate, productivity, and frequency of disasters.
The age of mammals is the present Cenozoic Era. The origins of environmental science can be traced back to earlier societies with distinct lifestyles. To survive, they had to adjust to harsh environmental circumstances. Survival of the fittest was the main focus, and it still is, but clearly, times have changed. Although environmental regulations were not established as they are today, people were more in tune with the natural world. There were advantages and disadvantages to ancient times. Because they used to eat organic food and there was less pollution, those people had a generally higher quality of life.
Both warfare and natural disasters claimed lives. Nowadays, people lead varied lives. There are benefits and difficulties unique to the modern era. Although technology has made life easier, people are now overly reliant on it. They must make time to travel to stunning locations. Reaching the top of a mountain, swimming, enjoying a day off to enjoy the beach, and watching a sunset all feel like accomplishments. Many people postpone exercising, eat poorly, and eventually gain weight as a result of procrastination. Because nature provides us with everything, including food, air, and water, humans are reliant on it.
We are less likely to experience depression when our surroundings are clean. Around the world, a large number of people suffer from depression as a result of leading inactive lives. Sometimes we can only be healed by nature. It is crucial to safeguard it at all costs because of this. Both men and women now live shorter lives as a result of urbanization, population growth, competition for resources, climate change, illnesses, and a lack of knowledge about environmental issues.
About Silent Spring
In order to be able to find answers for every issue, scientists and researchers worked very hard to identify the gaps. Although there are still gaps, their efforts should be valued since they have prepared the way for future generations and motivated young conservationists.
Rachel Carson stands out among the many well-known environmentalists who have made important contributions to the subject. Her seminal 1962 book Silent Spring raised awareness of the harm that pesticides, especially DDT, cause to the environment. These hazardous chemicals were eventually banned in the US as a result of a movement started by Carson’s meticulous research and gripping writing. The book’s title alone sums up the essence of her message. There was danger to spring, a time when the natural world awakens by birdsong and flower blooms. Carson warned that if nothing is done, a quiet, sad spring will come, devoid of the vibrant color that once defined it. She became a powerful symbol of environmental activism as a result of her efforts to change public perceptions of the environment.
The necessity of environmental regulation became increasingly apparent in the 1970s. Many nations enacted legislation to safeguard their air, water, and land resources in an effort to reduce the effects of dangerous chemicals and emissions.
| Environmental Regulation | Year |
|---|---|
| Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | December 2, 1970 |
| Clean Air Act | 1970 |
| Clean Water Act | 1972 |
| Growing focus on global environmental issues, such as climate change and biodiversity loss | 1980’s & 1990’s |
| The United Nations (UN) established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) | 1988 |
| UN held the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, countries pledged to take action to address environmental problems. | 1992 |
Is Environmental Science a blend of all fields?
Understanding the cosmos, the formation of planets, the emergence of the first living things, the Earth’s structure, evolution, climate, economy, psychology, the laws of physics, chemistry to comprehend the names, composition, and structure of significant chemicals and pollutants, and everything else are all necessary to comprehend the environment. All subjects are covered by the interdisciplinary field of environmental science. Isn’t that fascinating? Human interaction with the environment will be studied as long as this world and its inhabitants exist.
In environmental science, a concept known as sustainable development exists. The goal of sustainable development is to use the resources of the planet without depleting them. At the same time, we ought to preserve them for upcoming generations. Therefore, in order to solve complicated environmental issues and guarantee sustainable development, it is crucial to be well-versed in everything.
References
- Brady, A. “Rachel Carson’s Explorations of the Sea, the Human Relationship with Elephants, and More.” Scientific American. December 1, 2021.
- Carson, R. Silent Spring. 1962.
- Dorsey, W., Frazier, A., Galiotos, J., Kambhampati, M., Mukherjee, S., Alexander, A., & Freedman, B. “Chapter 1 ~ Introduction.” Environmental Science. Louis Pressbooks.
- Fisher, M. R. “1.1: The Earth, Humans, & the Environment.” Oregon Coast Community College via OpenOregon.
- Lineberry, C. “How Rachel Carson’s ‘Silent Spring’ Awakened the World to Environmental Peril.” HISTORY. Updated April 22, 2022. Originally published April 20, 2022.
- Rachel Carson | Biography, Books, & Facts. Britannica. Last updated July 11, 2024.