Question

Rachel Carson's earliest explorations into ecology occurred in the woods near her childhood home. For Wangari Maathai, it was the green fields of her family's farm in Kenya that awakened her scientific interest. Jane Goodall launched her first scientific expedition as a young child. It was a backyard trek to watch hens lay eggs. Driven by a sense of wonder, each of these women made lasting contributions to environmentalism, while teaching others to better appreciate and care for Earth and all of its inhabitants.

"The aim of science is to discover and illuminate truth." Rachel Carson

Carson spent her life outdoors exploring the relationships between living things and their environments. While she was working with the U.S. Fisheries Bureau, she made a disturbing discovery. Pesticides used in agriculture were killing more than pests. They were also killing wildlife.

Carson spent several years collecting evidence about the risks chemicals posed to the environment. In 1962, she published a book on the subject. It was titled Silent Spring. Carson's argument was simple. The use of pesticides would spread toxins throughout the ecosystem. This would harm not only plants and wildlife, but also humans.

Carson's influential book caused a public outcry, spurring Congress to pass environmental laws like the Clean Air Act and to establish the Environmental Protection Agency. Many credit Silent Spring with sparking the modern conservation movement. Some say it also gave rise to Earth Day, an annual holiday in which millions gather to celebrate and champion nature.

"What people see as fearlessness is really persistence." Wangari Maathai

When Maathai returned to Kenya after many years away, she made a shocking discovery. The once-fertile land of her childhood had become the victim of massive deforestation. Families who had thrived in the past were now going hungry because they were unable to farm the barren soil.

Maathai knew she had to act. In 1977, she founded the Green Belt Movement (GBM). The program encouraged Kenyan women to plant trees and practice ecology. This would promote both conservation and sustainable living at the same time.

Since GBM began, millions of trees have been planted. The program has been adopted worldwide. In 2004, Maathai became the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She was recognized for her determination to "think globally, but act locally."

"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." Jane Goodall

When she was an infant, Goodall's father gave her a toy chimpanzee. A few decades later, she was studying real chimpanzees in Tanzania. Her research was groundbreaking. It challenged traditional scientific ideas about primates, as well as what it means to be human. She learned that chimps, like humans, are intelligent. They can form intricate social structures and are capable of complex problem-solving.

Goodall established a research station in Gombe National Park, Tanzania. Yet her beloved chimps were threatened by the rapid deforestation of the park. The intrusion of human beings on animal habitats, and the resulting environmental destruction, has prompted Goodall to travel the world. She implores people to "show respect and love for living things around us." Her Roots and Shoots program teaches youth about the importance of conservation and actively engages them in protecting the environment.

Even with the dangers facing the planet, Goodall remains hopeful. "Everywhere I go there are young people…wanting to tell Dr. Jane what they are doing to make the world better," she says.

Hope is something that Carson, Maathai, and Goodall have held in common. Each has worked to protect the environment and to share the importance of conservation with new generations.

Think about and discuss these questions:
What facts would you select to show how Carson, Maathai, and Goodall shared what they learned with others?
What questions did you have while reading this article? Where might you find answers?


Video credit: Library of Congress

Video Transcript: Jane Goodall on Roots and Shoots

Question 3


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What cause-and-effect relationship is described in this article?

The first Earth Day celebrations led to Carson's interest in living things and their environments.
The Environmental Protection Agency's funding led to Carson's discoveries about pesticides.
Carson's work on pesticides led to her employment at the U.S. Fisheries Bureau.
Carson's book about pesticides in the ecosystem led to the passage of new environmental laws.

Answer 1

Carson's book about pesticides in the ecosystem led to the passage of new environmental laws.

Explanation: The article says Silent Spring caused a public outcry that spurred Congress to pass laws like the Clean Air Act and to establish the EPA.