Nature Fights Back, RACHEL CARSON

 

14 March 2005

 

RACHEL CARSON

Nature Fights Back

 

Questions for Critical Reading:

 

1. Carson’s argument appeals on its Logos, Pathos, and Ethos

 

           Logos: The greatest damage done to the environment by well-intentioned people who were unaware of the devastation they caused. The insect populations affected by sprays reveal that there is on clear way to use chemical insecticides without upsetting the balance of nature. The chemicals may have been pre-tested against a few individual species, but not against living communities. Most of the chemicals now used kill all insects, our friends and enemies alike.

 

           Pathos: The effect of powerful insecticides such as DDT had killed off not just the pests that hampered crop growth but also many desirable and beautiful animals that were part of the food chain depending on those insect. Many entomologists, despite having the knowledge to understand the situation continue to develop powerful insecticides. Moreover, the fact is neglected the truly explosive power of a species to reproduce once the resistance of the environment has been weakened.

 

           Ethos: The effective control of insects is that applied by nature, not by man. Natural means of pest control are always preferable to widespread spraying, if only because such spraying produces unwanted results. The restrictions need to be placed on the use of insecticides, especially in terms of their strength and the area of their use. The truth is that nature is not so easily molded and that the insects are finding the ways to circumvent our chemical attacks on them.

 

2. Anticipate objection and refute

 

          The giant chemical corporations that profit from insecticide spraying support entomologists in graduate school with generous research grants. The corporations “buy off” the very scientists who might make a difference in informing the public about the dangers of spraying. Moreover, when they have created problems of resurgence or resistance or mammalian toxicity, the chemist will be ready with another pill.

 

3. Evidence from Testimony of Authorities and Examples

 

In 1956 the United States Forest Service sprayed some 885,000 acres of forested lands with DDT. The intention was to control the spruce budworm, but the following summer it was discovered that a problem worse than the budworm damage had been created. It was evident that had brought the most extensive and spectacular infestation of spider mites in history. Almost all of the sprayed area was affected.

          The same bitter lesson was learned by Illinois farmers. Department of agriculture estimates, total damage by the Japanese beetle in the United States adds up to about 10 million dollars a year, while damage by the corn border runs to about 85 million. In trying to get rid of Japanese beetle, corn borers had increased enormously in the treated area.

 

4. Methaphors

 

           At other times spraying, while reasonable effective against the target insect, has let loose a whole Pandora’s Box of destructive pests that had never previously been abundant enough to cause trouble. - It means they should never spay, it made the result the worst with immense problems.

           A mild infestation of the spider mite gives trees and shrubbery a mottled or salt-and –pepper appearance; with a heavy mite population, foliage turns yellow and falls. – It means the infestation of the spider mite gives the healthy leaves spotted.

 

In surveying the forests from the air, vast blighted areas could be seen where the magnificent Douglas firs were turning brown and dropping their needles. – It means the forest looks disaster.

 

5. Related recent issues from Newspaper article

 

          “Global Warming, Political Chill” by Paul Rogers - San Jose Mercury News on Sunday, March 13, 2005. “20 years after the ozone crisis, a similar drama is playing out in the United States – but Washington has swapped roles, and now avoids acting on a global threat.”

 

Circumstance: According to the federal government’s National Climatic Data center, “Glaciers are receding, wildlife migration patterns are changing, and major scientific bodies from NASA to the World Meteorological Organization warn of increased droughts, coastal flooding, forest fires and tropical diseases in the decades ahead. The United States – fearing harm to the economy – is the only developed country not to have signed the Kyoto Protocol, which went into effect last month. The treaty, ratified by 141 countries, requires developed nations to cut emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide by an average of 5 percent from 1990 levels by 2012. Even as the majority of climate scientists say the evidence is incontrovertible, the Bush administration and energy industry leaders continue to say the science is unclear.

 

Demonstration: In 1987, Ronald Reagan took seriously the scientific evidence that certain man-made chemicals were breaking down the ozone layer, a natural shield. Montreal Protocol, an international agreement designed to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals, signed by 188 nations, and has been widely hailed as the most successful environmental treaty in history. Reagan stated on the Montreal Protocol, “In this historic agreement, the international community undertakes cooperative measures to protect a vital global resource.” In contrast, The Bush administration stayed on the same position that Bill Holbrook, spokesman for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said “The science of global climate changes is uncertain.” one of possible reason is that the Bush administration, strong ties to the oil industry, stands to lose billions if the world begins reducing its use of fossil fuels. Bush, a former oilman, has drawn millions in donations from the oil, coal and utility industries, and Vice President Dick Cheney was CEO of Halliburton, an oil services company, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was a director of Chevron. In addition, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card was former CEO of the American Automobile Manufacturers Association. Critics of the administration, many of whom admit that Kyoto Protocol is a flawed treaty, say Bush’s greatest sin on global warming is not offering anything of substance in its stead.

 

Consideration: Scientists estimate that because so much carbon dioxide already has built up in the atmosphere, the world will need to reduce carbon emissions 40 to 70 percent by 2100 to stabilize the temperature. For David Doniger, climate-policy director with the Natural Resources Defense Council in Washington, D.C., the lessons of the ozone drama are clear. Time is of the essence, if the United States had delayed longer on leading the phase-out of chemicals that harm the ozone layer, that problem would have become more difficult to fix later. Because America produces 25 percent of global greenhouse emissions, there can be no real solution without the United States. “When the U.S. leads, things happen,” he said. Also, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said, “My desire is to get America back into a dialogue on this issue.”

The United States needs to change directions in its policy toward the Kyoto Protocol. We cannot be influenced by greed and money. The United States should lead the world in cutting back on emissions of greenhouse gases, not be against it. Taking the lead on Global Warming must be our political priority along with changing social security.