Carson Silent Spring

In Silent Spring, Rachel Carson writes two different passages that are very different in writing style, but very similar in the theme and message. The first excerpt of Silent Spring is, A Fable for Tomorrow. In this excerpt, Carson tells a story about a fictional town in America that is being tormented by a so called evil spell. At first the town is described as a place where "all life seemed to live in harmony with its surroundings." But soon after this town would transform into a land that killed the animals of the land, spread illness among the people who lived in the town, the water, the vegetation was also tainted. At the end of the passage it is then revealed that this is not witchcraft and that it is the outcome of pollution made by the people themselves.

This connects to the next excerpt as Carson goes into detail about pollution and the many causes of it and how it affecting the Earth, showing that this fable is indeed based on true events going on in the world.  Humans have had the greatest effect on the environment as they have been the cause for pollution.  From dumping waste, burning gas, radiation, etc. " To adjust to these chemicals would require time on the scale that is natures, it would require not merely the years of  mans life but life of generations." This quote is explaining how the damage that we have done and continued to do will not be something that we can fix any time soon. With over 500 chemicals per year being released into the atmosphere this trend of pollution looks like one that wont be ending soon. Pollution is not the only issue as the migration of insects to different environments are causing much destruction, but this not just caused by insects themselves as human assistance is involved. With both of these excerpts it is clear that Carson is placing the blame on the destruction of earth on humans, even though it is a harsh truth, it is reality.

Shiva-What Is Biodiveristy And Why Is It Important

Biodiversity is being described by Vandana Shiva as "what forms the very fabric of life and provides the conditions for life's emergence and maintenance and the many different ways in which life is expressed (Shiva 38)". I see this as how living species occupy the earth by interacting with one another. But because of the growing negative effect that is described throughout the novel, such as globalization and industrialization, biodiversity is being threatened. Animal species are at the mist risk with their environments being changed and destroyed and not being able to adapt and maintain life. " According to the IUCN, 1029 birds,1083, 507 mammals, 169 reptiles  57 amphibians, 713 fish... are threatened (46)."  With over 11 percent of mammals, 10 percent of birds, a bit over 3 p percent of reptiles being threatened this is a much larger rate compared to a century ago. With the transformation of the food industry thousands of acres of environment is being used for factories causing much pollution and destroying the biodiversity in these areas. Another reason for the destruction of biodiversity  is the modern scheme for agriculture. Even though it may be more efficient with money and time this is unnatural ways that are causing a great threat.  This globalization has caused many negative trends regarding population of species. In the past a wide variety of species were used but now they are being replaced by hybrid species and that about 1/5th of freshwater fish are being endangered. Globalization is something that has been going on for hundreds of years and continues to grow, but with the increase interest in conservation  this is an issue that has the potential to be slowed down, such as the Plan B, hopefully it can be stalled.

A Tale of Two Farms

In a Tale of Two Farms,  Jared Diamond describes the importance of society being able to adapt to change. In this case climate change is the change that Diamond questions if society can adapt to. In this passage he talks about two farms who are impacted by climate change. "Natural climate changes may make conditions either better or worse for any particular human society, and may benefit one society while hurting another society (Diamond 29)."  I understand this idea for example if their was a snow storm in south west florida the produce and wildlife would suffer and die, while if this same snowstorm hit Alaska the wildlife and whatever natural resources common to Alaska would be prepared as this is more of a natural climate for that area. Now if Alaska was 100 degrees in temperature for a week the area would suffer, while Florida is prepared.  In this passage is also discussed that there is a trend of climate change because of the differences between two groups of people, the environmentalist and the non environmentalist. They argue that non environmentalist are related to big business while the environmentalist have "exaggerated concerns" (32). I understand this argument as pollution is supposedly one of the reasons for climate change and that big business is a major cause of this with factories all over the world. But because there is also claims of not knowing the true reason for climate change or if its real the claims of it being exaggerated can be supported.

Plan B Ch 1-3, 10

The first chapter in Plan B focuses on decaling natural resources that are becoming scarce, and the impact it will have on the world and its inhabitants. "I  resisted the idea that food shortages could also bring down our early twenty first century global civilization. But our continuing failure to reverse the environmental trends that are undermining the world food economy forces me  to conclude that if we continue with business as usual such a collapse is not only possible but likely". This quote sets the standard for the rest of the book and it sums up why we need a Plan B.  Plan B is a "goal to move the world from the current decline and collapse path onto a new path where food security can be restored and civilization can be sustained". With Plan B the fear that Brown had on the first page is now assured that there will be change in the world economy forces.  The 4 different aspects of plan b include, decreasing carbon dioxide by 80%, restoring the natural systems, eradicating poverty, and stabilizing the population at 8 billion or lower. These 4 different aspect all intertwine together as each thing covers its own unique area but have an affect on the other components of plan b. To decrease carbon dioxide, our  natural systems will need to be restored, but for that to happen population  needs to be stabilized  and so forth. I believe that these are 4 great components and if executed properly can indeed reach their goals. It is a process that I do see taking many years with how society is today but if the government and major corporations can alter their ways this is an issue that can be a thing of the past, With wind powered turbines to create energy and more cars using electricity, the price of gas will go down drastically and will be able to get more bang for your buck with 150 miles per gallon at less than a 1$ a gallon. This is a future that I think America needs, so I agree with plan b and hope that it comes to fruition.