ABSTRACT
It is nearly 35 years since Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. Carson’s view of the future was extremely controversial because of the blame she placed on industry and agriculture for the environmental effects that were beginning to become obvious. To prevent her worst predictions coming true industry and farmers would have to significantly modify their approach to killing pests. Until Carson almost anything was acceptable, development and progress were all important. Very few people even gave a second thought to animals and plants and the important part that they play in maintaining the equilibrium of our planet. The kinder criticism of her work accused her of being an unscientific, emotional polemicist; others considered her an anti-establishment, anti-technological communist nut! Whatever anyone said, Carson had brought the environment to the forefront of public opinion and politicians’ minds; she should be revered for that alone.
