Rachel Carson's: "A Fable For Tomorrow" and "The Obligation To Endure"

   In Rachel Carson's article, "A Fable for Tomorrow", the author imagines "...a town in the heart of America where all life seemed to live in harmony with its surroundings." It is the very picture of natural perfection. All species of life blossomed in an orchestra of peace and beauty that was only made possible by human awareness of ethical environmentalism. People traveled from miles away just to absorb and participate in the ecological paradise that was as pure as when man first settled the region. I too dream of places like this. Clean, crisp fall evenings gripping to the last vestiges of a soft, setting sun shining through the red and orange autumn leaves. But they are only dreams, for most of us, who are surrounded by pavement, machinery, and a blinding sun only to be interrupted by marginally less-blinding light pollution. Rachel Carson's dream, much like mine, is beautiful but, for the most part unattainable, in this life time anyway. Maybe we could go back to before the land was settled to enjoy the harmonious and stunning landscapes or, more realistically, just wait until we pollute our selves to death and the Earth starts with a clean slate, minus ourselves.

Photo provided by Budbrain on Flickr January 5th, 2013

 

 

   In Rachel Carson's article, "The Obligation to Endure", the author paints a very grim outlook on the devastation man has caused to nature by stating, "...pollution is for the most part irrecoverable." I would disagree with this, for the most part. Sure, some harm to the planet brought on by pollution is permanent. However, this does not imply, like the article states, that we should throw in the towel and accept our fate. We can save the planet from environmental catastrophe. We will have to change completely: our mindset, consumption habits, and waste practices, but it can be done. We do not have to simply endure our inevitable demise. Technologies are being developed that can remove pollutants from the soil and water. Better grazing techniques are being used right now to halt and prevent soil erosion along with new and safe supplements to give to cattle to eliminate the release of methane gas. Work is being done at rates never seen before to reverse the harm man has done to the planet. Things can change; and slowly they are.

Photo provided by Image Catalog on Flickr Sept. 21st, 2014

   In Rachel Carson's article, "The Obligation to Endure", the author references, "...the possibility of the extinction of mankind by nuclear war." This is an interesting alarm that has not been raised for sometime now. Granted the article is a bit dated, but I believe the point can be made that, along with the idea that nuclear winter is a real possibility, perhaps mankind is not destined to environmental annihilation. Maybe, mankind can make adjustments, like they have concerning nuclear weapons and their once dire forebodings. Maybe mankind will adapt and persist through creative innovation and collective growth, maybe mankind will not, but to see how far we have come gives me hope. Maybe our obligation to endure will become our responsibility to thrive.

Photo provided by Christophe on Flickr June 5th, 2006