AT23-078 NPSOT Kerrville Book Club: Silent Spring, Kerrville

Event Title: NPSOT Kerrville Book Club: Silent Spring

VMS-AT: AT: Native Plant Society of Texas (Enter AT#, Class Title as posted, Name of NPSOT Chapter, and Presenter)
Comments: AT23-078 NPSOT Kerrville Book Club: Silent Spring, Kerrville, Presenter: Kathy Loring (AT=1h)

Event Date: 8/16/2023
Event Time: 12:00p-1:00p

Event Summary:
Meet to discuss the ground breaking book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

Event Description:
The overarching theme of Silent Spring is the powerful—and often negative—effect humans have on the natural world. Carson’s main argument is that pesticides have detrimental effects on the environment; she says these are more properly termed “biocides” because their effects are rarely limited to solely targeting pests. DDT is a prime example, but other synthetic pesticides—many of which are subject to bioaccumulation—are scrutinized. Carson accuses the chemical industry of intentionally spreading disinformation and public officials of accepting industry claims uncritically. Most of the book is devoted to pesticides’ effects on natural ecosystems, but four chapters detail cases of human pesticide poisoning, cancer, and other illnesses attributed to pesticides.

In the late 1950s Rachel Carson began to work on environmental conservation, especially environmental problems that she believed were caused by synthetic pesticides. The result of her research was Silent Spring, which brought environmental concerns to the American public. She withstood fierce opposition from all of the big chemical companies but she was an integral part of the banning of DDT in the early 70’s.

Cost: no charge

Register @: not required

Event Location:
Butt-Holdsworth Public Library
505 Water Street
Kerrville, Texas

Instructor/Presenter:
Kathy Loring

Contact Information:
kathyloring@gmail.com
(832) 264-4795

Organization Website:
https://npsot.org/wp/kerrville/

Sponsoring Organization:
NPSOT Kerrville