The second chapter in Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring, is named “The Obligation to Endure.” It discusses the indiscriminate usage of pesticides in the United States, which Carson (1962) declares to be inefficient and dangerous as well as the result of poor planning. The writer highlights the dangers of using pesticides excessively, poisoning people and desirable wildlife while also leading to the emergence of immune pest species, forcing the development of new, more powerful poisons. She also claims that the emergence of dangerous and highly damaging insect species is the result of human planning, which ignores natural diversity to create fields and rows of uniform plants. Such an environment is ideal for the dedicated predators of these plants, which is compounded by their lack of natural enemies in the case that they are imported species.
Carson does not necessarily call for abolishing the use of pesticides, as she recognizes their importance in safeguarding crops and protecting people from infections. However, she makes the case that the obsession with the elimination of insects should be avoided, as it is dangerous and ineffective. Instead, the writer recommends using methods that are more in accord with nature. Diversifying crops and decorative plants is one approach that can be used to minimize the threat of predatory species. Stricter quarantine measures should be enforced when introducing new plants to avoid bringing dangerous insects along with them. Ultimately, Carson (1962) calls on the United States and the world to listen to ecologists, who have trained to solve the issue and developed responses, more. She concludes the chapter with the statement that citizens, who are under an obligation to endure industrial producers’ environmental abuses, also have the right to know the facts.
Reference
Carson, R. (1962). Silent spring. Crest Books.