Answer:
Carson named her book Silent Spring because she believed that the unbridled use of chemical pesticides would eventually lead to a world without birdsong or other sounds of nature, as the widespread use of pesticides would kill off entire ecosystems and disrupt the food chain.
Carson suggests that chemical insecticides and herbicides be called biocides because they do not discriminate in their effects, killing not only targeted pests but also beneficial insects, birds, and other non-target species. She uses this term to emphasize the broad and destructive effects of these chemicals on living organisms. Carson is not opposed to the use of all toxins, but rather to their unregulated and indiscriminate use.
Chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as DDT, are uniquely problematic because they are persistent and accumulate in the environment and in the fatty tissues of animals, including humans. This bioaccumulation leads to biomagnification, where the concentration of the toxin increases as it moves up the food chain, leading to potential health risks for humans and other animals.
Toxins can contribute to water pollution when they are washed into rivers and other bodies of water, contaminating the water and harming aquatic organisms. Agricultural and industrial runoff, as well as untreated sewage, are common sources of water pollution.
Carson proposes a variety of alternatives to the use of chemicals to control unwanted pests and plants, including biological controls, crop rotation, and integrated pest management. These alternatives make sense in the context of agribusiness, but may require changes in agricultural practices and a shift in priorities towards sustainability and long-term ecological health.
By advocating for the conservation of variety, Carson means that we should work to preserve biodiversity and avoid monocultures, which are more vulnerable to pests and diseases. She argues that preserving genetic diversity is essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems and food security.
Runoff in rivers and the ocean is a serious problem because it can cause algal blooms, which deplete oxygen in the water and create dead zones, where no life can exist. Runoff can also carry pollutants and toxins, harming aquatic organisms and threatening human health.
From the stories about spraying for the gypsy moth and the fire ant, Carson extracts the lesson that it is often difficult to predict the long-term effects of chemical interventions in complex ecosystems. She argues that we should exercise caution and restraint in our use of chemicals, and prioritize prevention and integrated approaches to pest management.
Local activists played a crucial role in raising awareness about the dangers of pesticides and advocating for change. Government officials and the chemical industry often resisted calls for regulation and reform, but eventually began to take action in response to public pressure and mounting scientific evidence of the harms of pesticides.
Whether or not one agrees with Carson's argument that the project of controlling nature is arrogant, foolish, and dangerous may depend on one's perspective. Some may argue that humans have a responsibility to manage and shape the natural world in order to meet our needs and ensure our survival. Others may argue that we must respect the inherent value and complexity of nature, and work to minimize our impact and preserve biodiversity.
Step-by-step explanation: