destroying the environment. She accuses man of “poisoning” nature through the use of
chemicals. The chemicals are harmful, Carson says, “and pass mysteriously by
underground streams until they emerge and, through the alchemy of air and sunlight,
combine into new forms that kill vegetation, sicken cattle, and work unknown harm on
those who drink from once pure wells” (457). Carson quotes Albert Schweitzer a
physician who says, “man can hardly even recognize the devils of his own creation”
(457). Carson gives the reader facts and details about these chemicals and how they
eliminate not just the “bad” but also the “good” insects and plants for example, that may
be effective in environmental growth. Carson believes that as man tries to eliminate
unwanted insects and weeds, however he is actually causing more problems by polluting
the environment with, for example, DDT and harming living things.
Carson adds that the “intensification of agriculture” is causing other major
problems, like newly developed or created insects and diseases. She warns that man
makes it impossible for nature to protect itself. Carson states, “Single- crop farming does
not take advantage of the principle by which nature works; it is agriculture as an engineer
might conceive it to be. Nature has introduced great variety into landscape, but man has
displayed a passion for simplifying it. Thus he undoes the built- in check and balances
by which nature holds the species within bounds” (460).
Carson is angry and believes that man wants too much control. She states that if
man left things the way they were intended, we would be relived of all these
environmental problems. Instead, man continues to “buy time” and train specialists to do
research and work that we do not use. Carson blames everyone for allowing man to have
the power and control over the environment. She says that we “tolerate a diet of week
poison” (461).
Carson concludes by arguing that the chemicals used on “soil, water, wildlife, and
himself” should be banned. She wishes the public would not accept the excuses man
gives for his destruction and put “an end to [his] false assurances” (462). However,
Carson fears that nothing will be done in the future to stop this problem because of our
ignorance about the facts. Until then, Carson feels that man will ignore the problem as if
it does not exist.
