Listen to the podcast.

Rachel Carson

One hundred years ago this Sunday, Rachel Louise Carson was born in Springdale, Pennsylvania. She grew up to become an American icon and pioneer of the modern environmental movement, best known for her efforts to warn the public about the dangers of misusing pesticides and other chemical treatments.

A writer, scientist, ecologist and marine biologist, Carson landed in the public spotlight after publication of her book, Silent Spring, in 1962. In it, she wrote about the dangers of pesticides and called upon the public to act as responsible stewards of our planet.

Carson’s lifelong love for and commitment to the natural world were fostered by her mother. She, in turn, imparted this love for nature and science to children around the country, hoping that if we taught our children to marvel at the world they would be less inclined to destroy it.

This Sunday, why not take a moment to appreciate the world around you, and to encourage the children in your life to do likewise. You might find it’s something you’ll want to do more often.

To learn more about Rachel Carson, visit www.rachelcarson.org.

To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org