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A message from Olga Huckins
At that time, marketers of DDT and authorities made people believe the pesticide was harmless; in fact, several campaigns highlighted multiple benefits. However, on the morning that followed the spraying of Huckins’ neighborhood, she discovered that many of her favorite birds lay dead in her yard. Interestingly, the spraying did not eliminate the mosquito population in question; instead, it turned out to be counterproductive in the long run.
In the wake of Carson’s public sensitization to mobilize people to back protests against the use of DDT and other similarly harmful pesticides, there arose an anticipated backlash. Carson was at no time intimidated by these standoffs from stakeholders in the chemical products industry. Nonetheless, the message of Silent Spring made it to President Kennedy, who subsequently set up a board of inquiry. Some months later, the President’s Panel on the issue submitted a report and found Carson’s claims concerning the harmfulness of chemical pesticides to be valid.
This summary will bring you awareness of a particular danger — the clandestine poisoning of the earth with chemicals. You will also get to understand the various ways human activities are putting a strain on the balance of nature. Endeavor to follow this piece through to the end for proper enlightenment of how you could contribute to bringing balance to planet Earth.