The Greener Reader discussion

Below are my top 4 reasons Carson is the bee's knees -- feel free to continue or counter:

1. She wrote a thought-provoking book that served as a slap-in-the-face-wake-up-call that largely contributed to the modern environmental era, the creation of the EPA/ NEPA, banning of highly toxic pesticides, popularized the study of ecology and conservation biology, and has inspired so many people (me included!)

2. SHE DID THIS WHILE BATTLING CANCER AND ALL BEFORE THE AGE OF 56!!!!!!***

3. She also did this before women had any respect in the sciences (signing her name as R.L. Carson in hopes people would assume she was a male -- zing!)

4. According to the intro, she was considered a, "bird and bunny lover, a woman who kept cats... a romantic "spinster" who was simply overwrought about genetics. In short, Carson was a woman out of control. She had overstepped the bounds of her gender and her science." (page 17). CAN SOMEONE CALL ME ALL OF THOSE THINGS PLEASE?!

***Damn, the things you have to do to be my hero

http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenli...

How Rachel Carson Are You?

Rachel Carson grew up near a glue factory, was a bestselling author before her seminal Silent Spring, and is often called the "mother of the environmental movement."

Curious, empathetic, courageous, Carson pursued her dreams and her gut, ultimately shepherding hard truths into the national consciousness.

It's a lot of live up to, but check off the following simple facts to see how much you share with a person integral to our modern pursuit of a green life.

The Rachel Carson Checklist

You ...

... have a late May birthday.
... hail from Pennsylvania.
... got your love of nature from your mom.
... grew up near a coal-fired power plant.
... feel called to be a writer.
... have been known as a bit of loner.
... have studied English and biology.
... have a degree in zoology.
... have a deep affinity for the sea.
... have had an article published in a newspaper or magazine.
... have financially supported your parents and siblings.
... work to encourage natural wonder in children.
... have worked as an editor.
... have worked as a marine biologist.
... have worked for the federal government.
... have testified before Congress.
... avoid pesticides.
... have been affected by breast cancer.
... believe people are part of the natural world, not masters of it.
... have read Silent Spring.
... want to change the world.
Bonus point: Your middle name is Louise.

See how you scored:

Between 1 and 7 items:

Even having a little in common with Carson is pretty cool. Her modest childhood and her work to sustain her family are universal experiences, but waxing lyrical about biology and captivating generations (before writing an earth-shattering investigation into humans' effect on the environment's effect on humans) aren't everyday accomplishments.

Between 8 and 14 items:

Lookin' good, friend. Whether or not Carson has directly inspired your life, it's worth looking into your similarities. Carson's commitment to her dream (writing) and her passion (nature) helped redefine how we inhabit our world. Imagine if we all did the same?

Between 15 and 21 items:

Whoa, there, tiger. Rachel Carsons don't come everyday, so kudos to you for your shared brilliance. Do tell — how are you working to change the world? And if you've testified before Congress, tell us that story, too.

On the note of your 4th point Marguerite,it is pretty amazing what individuals have to put up with for going against the status quo, or putting out there what others don't want to hear or believe.

Again, I am reminded of the author of Raising Elijah. On p. 54 of that book the author describes the scene of her child's pre-school where she is written off as an "alarmist" and "hysterical" for her concern of chemical exposure on their playground equipment.

p. 96 considering the debts we create and monetizing the ecological and human damage the “cheap” chemical route can put us through. “The wholesale broadcasting of chemicals would be seen to be more costly in dollars as well as infinitely damaging to the long-range health of the landscape and to all the varied interests that depend on it”. It seems like Rachel Carson pioneered this idea. We know she “created” the environmental movement, but it’s nice to keep track of some of the specific details.