The Power of One Voice

Rachel Carson is widely regarded as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century. She grew up in Springdale, Pennsylvania, where she witnessed first-hand the beauty and genius of nature juxtaposed with the ecological devastation caused by industrialization. Carson’s widely recognized talent as a writer, combined with her deep knowledge of the natural world, made her a potent advocate for the use of precaution when working with biological systems. In 1962 her best-selling book, Silent Spring, awoke the environmental consciousness of America with poignant words of caution in the face of rapidly advancing scientific progress.

This film pulls insights from a variety of speakers at a 50-year anniversary celebration of Silent Spring held at Chatham University and The National Aviary on May 11-12, 2012. Rachel Carson’s adopted son, Roger Christie, her biographer, Linda Lear, and other notable writers, scientists and advocates reflect on the impact and lessons learned from her life and work.

Today, Rachel Carson stands as a role model and inspiration for people across the globe, even as the controversy created by her challenge to the chemical industry continues unabated. We hope that, by highlighting the power of Carson’s voice, we may inspire others to add their voices to this essential conversation.