What Would Rachel Say?

Cambridge (MA) City Council Adopted: MAY 21, 2007

WHEREAS:     May 27, 2007 is the 100th birthday of the renowned biologist and nature writer Rachel Carson; and

WHEREAS:     In her numerous writings, including Silent Spring, Rachel Carson stressed the web of life and connected our attitudes to nature, and often our actions, to harmful practices toward the environment;

WHEREAS:     In the midst of adversity and strong opposition from industry and corporate interests Rachel Carson called attention to our responsibility towards the environment, and as a biologist she insisted on the importance of educating the public about the dangers of contamination by toxic substances; and

 WHEREAS:     Rachel Carson's work has influenced public policy about the environment all over the world and since her publications, research has increasingly shown the links of contamination of water, air, and soil to disease and illness; and

WHEREAS:     The City of Cambridge has committed itself to energy conservation, realizing that climate change and global warming constitute a serious threat to the wellbeing and the future of our planet, and in so doing has taken seriously Rachel Carson's warnings about our responsibilities; now therefore be it

RESOLVED:   That the City Council declare May 27 as annual Rachel Carson Day in Cambridge.