The subject is a figure significant to environmental history and frequently encountered in Advanced Placement United States History curricula. She was a marine biologist and author whose work is credited with advancing the global environmental movement. Her most influential book, published in 1962, detailed the adverse environmental effects caused by the indiscriminate use of pesticides, particularly DDT. This publication brought environmental concerns to a wider audience and spurred public debate.
Her contribution is important in APUSH because it illustrates a turning point in American attitudes towards the environment. Prior to the 1960s, environmental concerns were often secondary to economic growth and technological progress. Her work highlighted the potential dangers of unchecked industrial practices and spurred increased government regulation of industry and a growing awareness of the need for environmental protection. It is relevant to understanding the rise of social movements and legislative changes in the later 20th century.
