United States Government: Democracy in Action

Introduction
By the early 1960s, many rivers and lakes in the United States were polluted, smog engulfed major cities, oil spills polluted beaches, and the heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers were contaminating groundwater and endangering wildlife. Congress passed several laws mandating reductions in emissions and prohibiting the discharge of harmful amounts of dangerous chemicals into navigable waters. In this activity, you will learn about the catalyst for environmental protection, Rachel Carson's Silent Spring.

Destination Title: Natural Resources Defense Council: The Story of Silent Spring

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Use the information you found to answer the following questions.

1			Who was Rachel Carson?
2			When was DDT invented, and how was it first widely used?
3			What was Edwin Way Teale's warning about DDT?
4			What did Rachel Carson's research on DDT conclude?
5			Brainstorm five ways you can help the environment. Create a poster highlighting these environmental actions.