The environmental movement is a social effort to address environmental concerns. Silent Spring advanced the environmental movement by turning the public eye in the United States of America (USA) to environmental concerns amid growing  technological advancements post World War II. Specifically, public attention to her book led to government investigation of pesticide spraying and for the federal government to review its policies on pesticide spraying. Eventually, the increased attention towards environmental issues culminated in the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

… the extended shadow of Silent Spring.

The EPA is a federal government agency responsible for government policy to ensure the protection of human health and the natural environment. It is primarily responsible for developing and enforcing environmental policies. Much of the agency’s early work such as The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act in 1972 was directly related to the environmental concerns highlighted in Silent Spring. 

Perhaps due to its role in raising public awareness towards environmental issues, Silent Spring is credited with many for initiating environmentalism. In fact, the environmental movement was in the works since the early 19th century. However, by turning the public eye towards environmental concerns, Silent Spring can be credited with popularising environmentalism. Since it concerned environmental policy in one of the most prominent nations in the world, its impact and legacy is still felt in many parts of the world today in terms of global environmental attitudes. If Carson never spoke up about the environmental issues caused by indiscriminate use of pesticides, we may live in a very different world today.