If man were to follow the teachings of Miss Carson, we would return to the Dark Ages, and the insects and diseases and vermin would once again inherit the earth.

As sections of Silent Spring were featured in popular magazines and serializations, the work caught the attention of chemical industrialists who heavily opposed the book, calling Carson’s claims in the book as false and heavily exaggerated. Many critics accused Carson of advocating a complete ban of pesticides, when in fact she was merely advising against the indiscriminate spraying of pesticides, to limit environmental damage and prevent buildup of resistance among insects. Besides numerous complaints, chemical companies also published brochures about pesticides and advocating its use. However, many prominent scientists came to Carson’s defense and public opinion soon turned her way as well.

Pesticide spraying became a public issue and there was a television program by a popular news channel featuring the book and various interviews about the issue. There was overwhelmingly positive response from the numerous viewers and the program spurred an investigation of pesticide use by the President’s Science Advisory Committee. One could say that the uproar of criticism and controversy from the chemical industrialists, ironically was the driving factor for raising public awareness of the dangers of technological advancement that Carson was trying to advance, and ultimately beginning an environmental movement that she never planned for.

For more information about the controversy and events surrounding the publication of Silent Spring, please refer to the page “Conservation and Legacy“.