Short Term Historical Context
The Silent Spring
Rachel Carson, a renowned scientist and author of the book Silent Spring, highlighted the need for change and the destructiveness of DDT. Her work brought national attention to this problem, drawing both criticism and support for her ideas. Some discredited her as a woman, but her continued determination for change increased environmental awareness. This awareness was crucial in leading to the conditions for the ESA's creation.
Courtesy of Environment and Society
Courtesy of Environment & Survival
Courtesy of Natural Resources Defense Council
"DDT will kill the bees and that means that it will kill the clover, which means, too, that it will kill off our livestock,"
~ Channing Cope, radio show host, and Atlanta Constitution farm editor
"(DDT) has the power to ruin us."
~ Channing Cope, radio show host, and Atlanta Constitution farm editor
The Santa Barbara Well Blowout
-100,000 barrels of oil spilled
-45 day cleanup
-Original spill covered 25 square miles, expanding to 100s of miles along the coast
-3,700 known birds died
-Influential in developing the National Environmental Policy Act (1970), a Precursor to the Endangered Species Act.
Courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Courtesy of the Pesticide Action Network
Endangered Species Preservation Act
The ESPA, created in 1966, had the goal of protecting animals in danger of extinction. However, its focus was within the U.S. and didn't allow the protection of species in danger of worldwide extinction. The ESA that followed was more powerful and had a global scope.