Pesticide Use and Environmental Change Issues - Research Paper Example

?Pesticide Use and Environmental Change in Rachel Carson’s The Obligation to Endure Introduction The damaging effects of industrialization have become more noticeable nowadays as people begin to feel both the gradual and sudden environmental change. For instance, the sudden weather changes and the successive occurrence of natural calamities, such as flood, remind us that the environment is not was it used to be, vital and highly sustainable. Relatively, such sudden weather changes affect our daily life and disrupt the smooth flow of our routine. Aside from this, there are also issues concerning the increasing toxicity level of the environment, which in some ways affects the quality of foods. As the rate of environmental change grows, the number of researches also increases as it addresses the growing environmental concern. Specifically, in The Obligation to Endure, Rachel Carson cites some destructive human activities that cause environmental change. For one, Carson emphasized that the use of pesticide to increase agricultural productivity inflicts more harm to nature than benefits. In the article, Carson’s arguments on environmental change and pesticide use are interesting, considering that these delve on the distinct relationship between human beings and their environment. Accordingly, this paper attempts to fulfill threefold goals in relation to Carson’s article. First is the identification of the existing environmental changes today; second is the analysis of the role of human beings concerning those environmental changes; third is the discussion of the long-term and short term effects of pesticide use, and lastly, the identification of possible solutions that may help recover the vitality of the environment. To attain those objectives, this research also makes use of existing scholarly articles concerning the topic to support its arguments; books and web articles are used to attain further background about Rachel Carson and her environmental advocacies. Article Overview Rachel Carson, one of America’s most prominent marine biologists, may be considered the most influential woman in the field of environmental studies and ecological policy. Doell mentions that her contribution to the field of science and politics, although indirectly, is attributable to her write-ups in Silent Spring, particularly about the “aggressive backlash from the agricultural chemical industry” (113). Silent Spring is a collection of essays about industrialization, human activity, and its influence on the changing features of the environment, particularly on the “war on weeds” (Paull 37). Specifically, in The Obligation to Endure, Carson highlights that pesticide use is the most environmentally damaging of all human activities; she also discusses the existing environmental policies on pesticide use. Aside from this, Carson also discusses the temporary and permanent impact of pesticide use on both humanity and the environment. In reading the article, one can say that Carson’s argument on genetic flexibility and adaptability is the most interesting topics in the article. With those two topics, Carson was able to explain the long-term and short term effects of pesticide use on the physiological features of humans, insects, and other organisms. In the article, Carson explains how the synthetic, toxic chemicals contained in pesticides alter the natural genetic makeup of human beings and insects, which also drives further changes in the environment. Although Carson posits, in the last paragraphs of the article, that she does not intend to discourage the use of pesticides, she also contends that human beings should be more watchful when using products that are based on synthetic chemicals. She emphasized the necessity of knowing the impact of chemical-based products while putting the responsibility of educating the public on biologically damaging products on the hands of government officials and the private sector. Consequently, the article may be considered a parable of human existence and a warning to the people, particularly against our excessive use of inorganic and biologically hazardous pesticides. Environmental Problems and Rachel Carson As a prominent environmental activist, Carson points out the different kinds of environmental change today. Carson also helps shape public opinion, both supporting and disapproving the use of synthetic chemicals in developing pesticides, particularly the chlorinated hydrocarbon. In the words of Cafaro, the bulk of Carson’s works focus on the environmental problems concerning “pesticides and other chemical pollution,” particularly the inclusion of synthetic-based chemicals (“Rachel Carson’s Environmental Ethics” paras. 1-2). Cafaro also mentions that Carson links those problems to the future of humanity, particularly on the life of our great-grand children wherein the possibility of seeing the natural beauty of nature is slim. Specifically, the focus of “The Obligation to Endure” revolves around the issue of “ecological hazards of pesticide for public health”, as well as on the existing environmental problems and policies addressing those issues (Pimentel 190). For instance, in the first paragraphs of the article, Carson describes, in brief, the features of the environment during the early stage of the Earth’s evolution and today. Specifically, Carson emphasized the differences in the quality of the marine, land, and aerial habitats before the dawn of Industrialization period and today. Carson illustrates the contamination of land and water as a result of excessive pesticide use, which results to the death of marine and land animals (Teal paras. 1-2). Teal also cites that Carson’s environmental activism focuses on the effects of hydrocarbon insecticides, particularly those concerning the increasing toxicity level in the air, land, and water (para. 1). While this issue does not seem to threaten, at first, the accumulated toxic chemicals in the water and agricultural lands may affect the health of the global ecosystem. The Role of Human Activity on Environmental Change Throughout the article, Carson suggests that human activity is the most influential factor that drives environmental change, and this is because of the exploitative way in which people use the environment as sources of raw materials. As explained by Carson, human beings took control over the evolution process during the Industrialization period wherein buildings, recreational areas, and other commercial sites were constructed to replace the lush and vast mountains and valleys (191). Thus, while natural environmental laws govern the evolution during the early years of Earth’s evolution, people became the most influential agent of change today. Primarily, this is due to humanity’s thirst for an easier life, convenience, and high productivity. Such industrialist aspirations have its benefits as more people enjoyed the luxury and comfort of the modern life. However, as if a looming shadow lurking behind the fascinating modern world, the drawbacks of industrialization also take its massive toll on the environment. For instance, the environmental issues that come along with the construction of huge buildings affects, in a negative sense, the lives of more people than it benefits the few. There are no more trees in the mountains to hold the flood before it reaches the people in the cities. The government is now posting, every now and then, warnings of poisonous sea food products. Consequently, although such a move is beneficial, particularly in developing advanced technologies and operational systems, in retrospect, Carson asserts that tampering with the natural setup of the environment compromises the health of human beings and animals, particularly to the future generations, who are most likely to suffer from the high level of toxicity in the environment. In the article, Carson points out that using pesticides is the primary cause of environmental change as the creation of pesticides gives rise to a wide variety of synthetic and oftentimes harmful chemicals. For instance, Carson cites the heightened level of toxicity in the surroundings, which is a result of pollution and chemical reaction of synthetic chemicals. Although the physiological effects of synthetic chemicals do not happen overnight, it is also likely that the presence of synthetic chemicals in the environment may alter our natural physiological setup. Pesticide Use and Its Impacts In reading Carson’s article, one can say that Carson’s arguments on pesticide use and environmental change dwells on three perspectives: political, ecological, and moral. In the words of Raglon, Carson is one of the few writers whose works influence environmental policies and helped shape public opinion, principles, and ideologies about nature (196). In analyzing Silent Spring, Raglon asserts that Carson’s view concerning the environment expresses the perspectives of an environmentalist, a feminist writer, and a political activist. For instance, Raglon explains that her views on the interplay between the responsibility of taking care of the environment like a home show her feminine side while her prolific and assertive writing style shows her passion for environmental protection. Additionally, her views on existing environmental policies show her political concern. Ecological Perspective In the ecological perspective, Garb mentions that Carson’s works present the issue of environmental change and excessive pesticide use as linked to existential continuity wherein human beings are caught in the spiral of problem-solving attributable to “indiscriminate pesticide use” (230). People, particularly ecologists, are caught in the process of suffering from environmental crisis, studying the nature of those problems, identifying solutions, and finding out that those solutions give rise to other forms of problems. In fact, Carson states that “non selective chemicals that have the power to kills every insect,” the “good” and the “bad” contaminates the environment making it “unfit for all life” although those also prove to kills certain kinds of damaging insects (193). In addition, the use of synthetic chemicals drives physiological adaptation that fuels the evolution of “super races immune to particular insecticides used” (Carson 192). Carson added that both human beings and other organisms are required to adapt to the toxicity level of the environment, otherwise die. Relatively, such a situation takes more than the required rate of natural adaptation, considering that there are no naturally occurring chemicals to counteract the synthetic ones. This leads to the faster rate of mortality wherein all living organisms may have shorter life spans. Specifically, the excessive use of pesticides and other chemicals increases the rate of pollution and contamination of land, aerial, and marine habitats. For instance, the presence of toxic chemicals in the Earth’s waters affects marine life, which is also a leading food source for humans, as well as for marine and land animals. Relatively, the persistent use of pesticides in man-made marine habitats puts the marine ecosystem in the brink of extinction. Such idea is also true in agricultural farms wherein agribusinesses strive to increase agricultural acreage in their efforts to provide sustainable food sources. Carson states that, in the process of killing one specie of insects, farmers also give way to the propagation of other species of insects; “hence a deadlier one has always to be developed--and then a deadlier one than that,” which thrive even in environments heavily laden with toxic chemicals (193). This is associated with genetic adaptability wherein insects develop tolerance to excessive chemicals in their habitats. Moral and Political Perspective Aside from asserting the ecological relevance of regulating pesticide use, Carson also links environmental responsibility to the necessity of taking care of our home. For instance, Norwood states that Carson’s writings also point out that taking responsibility of our environment reflects the way we take care of our individual homes wherein there is always a need to maintain a sustainable environment (742). Consequently, the policies that were passed addressing environmental concerns are also policies that attempt, although indirectly, to protect our homes and neighborhoods, in the long run. Carson illustrates the possible future of humanity if we, with our environmentally destructive ways, continue to overlook the long-term effects of our activities. Other than its environmental effects, excessive use of pesticide also affects the health of farm works and all consumers, considering that residues of pesticides may linger in raw farm produce. In fact, Calvert et al., in their study of pesticide use, highlights the health damaging effects of toxic chemicals in pesticides. In the study, Calvert et al. state that toxic chemicals have the capacity of elicit serious harm to farmers, whether through direct or indirect exposure (884). For instance, direct exposure to pesticides accounts for pesticide-related injuries, such as accidental chemical intake, while indirect chemical exposure through food intake accounts for the increasing rate of food poisoning. Calvert et al. also found out that the common factors leading to accidents include the wrong labeling of pesticides, entering a quarantined area, and “off-target drift” (891). Considering such injuries, it is likely that pesticide use is more than just an environmental issue; instead, it also pertains to effective farm management and monitoring. Consequently, this idea relates to environmental ethics wherein authorities should disseminate information clearly about the use of pesticides. In addition, in the light of the rapid environmental change, Jean Rostand states, “the obligation to endure gives us the right to know” (qtd. in Carson 197). This statement relates to what Cafaro terms as Environmental Ethics wherein people should consider the environmental impact of their activities. For instance, the last paragraphs of the article highlight the role of ecologists in informing the public about relevant environmental facts and pesticide use, particularly those that have the potential to inflict damage on the environment. Specifically, Carson emphasized the role of government and non-government organizations to evaluate recent discoveries in agricultural technologies. This ensures that people will be more aware on environmental issues. In relating this argument to Carson’s article, one can say that humanity should be more concerned and selective in using pesticides and other chemical-based products. Relatively, with Carson’s environmental advocacies, Cafaro states that her concern for health and the environment puts her as one of the most prominent and influential ecological writers as she introduces the actual implication of the existing environmental problems on the lives of all people (“Thoreau, Leopold, and Carson,” 10). In addition, Cafaro added that although Carson does not directly discuss all environmental problems, in retrospect, Carson’s works serve as a stimulus that drive and shape public opinion concerning environmental change, as well as the creation of policies that address those issues. Conclusion In the ecological perspective, Carson’s arguments against the use of biologically harmful chemicals come along with her concern for generations to come, as well as for the natural beauty of the environment. She also highlights the futility of pesticide use in combating farm insects wherein synthetic chemicals only drive the physiological adaptation capacities of insects, thereby increasing their tolerance to those chemicals. Consequently, although humanity attains their expected productivity level, in retrospect, the permanent, biological effects of pesticide use influence the deterioration of natural resources. This results to a greater problem of sustainability and productivity, particularly in preserving marine, land, and aerial habitats. In the moralistic and political view, one can say that Carson’s arguments against the excessive use of synthetic chemicals serve as an appeal for the environmental ethics wherein she highlights our responsibility to know the environmental impact of our daily activities. Relatively, the bottom line of Carson’s article revolves around humanity’s environmental responsibility, which also reflects our responsibility for the future generations. With her article, Carson points out the necessity of passing environmental policies that may address economic needs, as well as the environmental concerns. Conclusively, Carson’s article brings to light the weight of today’s most common, but unnoticed, environmental problems. Specifically, Carson asserts that the use of pesticides inflicts harm to people, as well as our surroundings. Several researches about Carson’s works also derived the idea of adaptability and genetic flexibility as the underlying issue behind the use of pesticides, considering that greater potential of synthetic chemicals to alter the physiology of human beings and other organisms on Earth. Thus, in analyzing this article, this research had found out that human beings, with their persistent and prevalent use of toxic chemicals, had brought into themselves the obligation to cope with the toxicity of their environment. This is what Carson calls the obligation to endure the consequences of humanity’s own doing. Works Cited Cafaro, Philip. “Rachel Carson’s Environmental Ethics.” Online Ethics Center for Engineering and Research. National Academy of Engineering, n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. . ---. “Thoreau, Leopold, and Carson: Toward an Environmental Virtue Ethics.” Environmental Ethics 23.1 (2001): 3-18. Web. 19 Nov. 2012. . Calvert, Geoffrey M., et al. “Acute Pesticide Poisoning Among Agricultural Workers in the United States, 1998-2005.” American Journal of Industrial Medicine 15 (2008): 883-898. Print. Carson, Rachel. “The Obligation to Endure.” The Broadview Reader. 3rd ed. Eds. Herbert Rosengarten and Jane Flick. Ontario: Broadview Press, 1998. 191-198. Print. Doell, Dawn. “Rachel Carson: The Inspiration of a New Generation.” Earth Common Journal 1.1 (2011): 110-119. Web. 19 Nov. 2012. . Garb, Yaakov. “Change and Continuity in Environmental World-View: The Politics of Nature in Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring.” Minding Nature: The Philosopher’s Ecology. Ed. David Macauley. New York: The Guilford Press, 1996. 229-256. Print. Norwood, Vera L. “The Nature of Knowing: Rachel Carson and the American Environment.” Signs 12.4 (1987): 740-760. Web. 19 Nov. 2012. . Paull, John. “Rachel Carson, a Voice for Organics-The First Hundred Years.” Journal of Bio-Dynamics Tasmania 86 (2007): 37-41. Web. 19 Nov. 2012. . Pimentel, David. “After Silent Spring: Ecological Effects of Pesticides on Public Health and On Birds and Other Organisms.” Rachel Carson: Legacy and Challenge. Eds, Lisa H. Sideris, and Kathleen Dean Moore. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2008. 190-193. Print. Raglon, Rebecca. “Rachel Carson and Her Legacy.” Natural Eloquence: Women Reinscribe Science. Eds. Barbara T. Gates and Ann S. Shteir. Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press, 1997. 196-211. Print. Teal, Allen. “The Influence of Rachel Carson on the Environmental Movement.” Yahoo! Voices. Yahoo, 13 June 2007. Web. 16. Nov. 2012. . Read More