In 1962, with the publishing of Silent Spring, Rachel Carson ignited a new era of environmentalism. She raised the American conscience about the devastating impacts of pesticides on our natural world and became the moral compass for environmental change. Singlehandedly, she created a public outcry that, ten years later, led to the U.S. banning of the destructive pesticide DDT—a conservation success she would, unfortunately, not live to see.
Carson’s sensitive writings, understanding of nature’s delicate balance, and passion for protecting our natural world also spurred revolutionary changes in attitudes about nature and the laws affecting our air, land, and water. The 1970s elevated this environmental awareness and accountability to even greater heights. The first Earth Day in 1970 gave birth to a new generation of environmentalists, and that one-day gathering in every corner of our country still ranks as one of the most significant and impactful protests against environmental ignorance. In the years following, the Environmental Protection Agency was established, new landmark legislation—including the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act—was passed, and the Clean Air Act was greatly strengthened.
Rachel Carson should be an inspiration to us all and remind us that, like her, we each have the power to bring about unprecedented change. And now, more than ever, time is of the essence. So, as we celebrate the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd, it’s critically important that we take this year’s theme to heart and “Invest in Our Planet.” Not just for one day, but every day—an ongoing, permanent investment in our future.
There are countless ways you can make a difference and be a change agent for greater environmental awareness and protection. Whether you choose to organize a hike introducing others to the wonders of nature, participate in a neighborhood litter cleanup, remove invasive species from a nearby forest, advocate for increased conservation funding, promote social equality and accessibility to parks and other natural areas, or financially support the conservation efforts of a nonprofit like TennGreen Land Conservancy, you will be making a difference.
Each of us has the power to create change. So, let’s do that! Let’s “Invest in Our Planet” and make this world a better place for all. The choice is ours, and the time for action is now. As Rachel Carson so eloquently described,
“We stand now where two roads diverge. But unlike the roads in Robert Frost’s familiar poem, they are not equally fair. The road we have long been traveling is deceptively easy, a smooth superhighway on which we progress with great speed, but at its end lies disaster. The other fork of the road—the one less traveled by—offers our last, our only chance to reach a destination that assures the preservation of the earth.”