Science and the Environment

Renowned people of today such as esteemed scientists and author Rachel Carson, Canadian scientist David Suzuki and other experts concern themselves with the issue of environmental sustainability. The relationship between the environment and society is unbalanced nearly to the point of no return because of such a large human population and an economy driven world that is globalizing. The sustainability of the environment is a major concern of the 21st century especially since technology has advanced so fast. Our previous scientific inventions have exploited the earth’s resources much faster than we can restore them, however we must continue seeking solutions because the benefits outweigh the costs.
DDT and other pesticides are scientific inventions that eliminate insects and ensure farmers a larger harvest, but don’t take into account the negative polluting effects. Rachel Carson, an expert in zoology and biology, states that these chemicals “should not be called insecticides but biocides” (Carson 421). When scientists and farmers alike promote and use pesticides, they don’t realize that the pollutants embed in the soil and run into the drinking water sources affecting future crops and eventually us. The pesticides harm the whole ecosystem, despite that they are only targeting insects. Similarly, we exploit the earth’s resources as most of our inventions detriment the environment without our realization. An example of the damaging implications is illustrated through Suzuki’s example. Suzuki, an expert in zoology, declared that, “years later, when bird watchers noted the decline of eagles and hawks, biologists investigated and discovered the hitherto unknown phenomenon of “bio magnification,” where by compounds become concentrated as they are ingested up the food chain” (Suzuki 431). This is a prime example of the implications DDT has on the ecosystem. Farmers and scientists did not predict that the chemicals used to exterminate insects would move up the food