New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed presidential historian Douglas Brinkley talks about his new book, "Silent Spring Revolution," which chronicles the rise of environmental activism during the Long Sixties (1960-1973), telling the story of an indomitable generation that saved the natural world under the leadership of John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and Richard Nixon.

With the detonation of the Trinity explosion in the New Mexico desert in 1945, the United States took control of Earth’s destiny for the first time. After the Truman administration dropped atomic bombs on Japan to end World War II, a grim new epoch had arrived. During the early Cold War years, the federal government routinely detonated nuclear devices in the Nevada desert and the Marshall Islands. Not only was nuclear fallout a public health menace, but entire ecosystems were contaminated with radioactive materials. During the 1950s, an unprecedented postwar economic boom took hold, with America becoming the world’s leading hyperindustrial and military giant. But with this historic prosperity came a heavy cost: oceans began to die, wilderness vanished, the insecticide DDT poisoned ecosystems, wildlife perished, and chronic smog blighted major cities.

In "Silent Spring Revolution," Douglas Brinkley pays tribute to those who combated the mauling of the natural world in the Long Sixties: Rachel Carson (a marine biologist and author), David Brower (director of the Sierra Club), Barry Commoner (an environmental justice advocate), Coretta Scott King (an antinuclear activist), Stewart Udall (the secretary of the interior), William O. Douglas (Supreme Court justice), Cesar Chavez (a labor organizer), and other crusaders are profiled with verve and insight.

Carson’s book "Silent Spring," published in 1962, depicted how detrimental DDT was to living creatures. The exposé launched an ecological revolution that inspired such landmark legislation as the Wilderness Act (1964), the Clean Air Acts (1963 and 1970), and the Endangered Species Acts (1966, 1969, and 1973). In intimate detail, Brinkley extrapolates on such epic events as the Donora (Pennsylvania) smog incident, JFK’s Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, Great Lakes preservation, the Santa Barbara oil spill, and the first Earth Day.

With the United States grappling with climate change and resource exhaustion, Douglas Brinkley’s meticulously researched and deftly written "Silent Spring Revolution" reminds us that a new generation of twenty-first-century environmentalists can save the planet from ruin.

Silent Spring Revolution, a Conversation with Douglas Brinkley

Episode 20: This month the crew ponders what it would be like to receive a message from another world. What if that message was a warning? We also discuss the advantages of instant spontaneous dehydration and why Isaac Newton is such a bully. Fire up your VR goggles, make sure you've had plenty of fluids, and take a deep dive with us into Cixin Liu's Three Body Problem.

Join the discussion with Escape the Earth:
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Escape the Earth

Dehydration for the Masses

Author Ann E. Burg has created a compelling and inspirational book for middle schoolers and up about the life of Rachel Carson.   It is written in verse.   The story behind Force of Nature- a Novel of Rachel Carson?  Ann Burg chats with Techstination's Fred Fishkin.

Techstination Interview: Ann Burg's Force of Nature-A Novel of Rachel Carson

Ann Burg's Force of Nature-a Novel of Rachel Carson.  Today's Techstination.

Ann Burg's Force of Nature-a Novel of Rachel Carson

In this episode of Citizens Climate Radio, hosts Horace Mo and Erica Valdez bring together diverse voices to discuss current efforts to address climate change. Horace Mo speaks with Ann E Burg, a celebrated author known for compelling historical novels for young readers, about her newly published novel “Force of Nature–A Novel of Rachel Carson” which opens a new door for readers to experience the life of Carson, a well-known environmental pioneer in the US, by reading her field notes and Ann’s innovative writing. 

Erica Valdez discusses the American fossil fuel divestment movement, highlighting the work of younger generations. She has a conversation with Aly Horton, another student taking the initiative to promote the fossil fuel divestment movement on their campus at Northern Arizona University. 

In the Resilience Corner, Tamara Staton speaks on mastering the banjo and how this uniquely relates to addressing climate change. Finally, Peterson Toscano has a Good News story regarding South Africa's energy supply.

For full show notes, including links to guests and a transcript, visit www.cclusa.org/radio .

Citizens Climate Radio

Exploring Rachel Carson’s Life and The Divestment Movement

Techstination is a daily report on consumer tech produced by Fred Fishkin.  Listen to full interviews and daily reports here and find more at www.techstination.com

The San Antonio Public Library changes lives through information, imagination, and ideas… and podcasts!  Join the San Antonio Public Library Tuned In crew as they share and reveal some of the inner workings of the library, highlight the many features and programs on offer, and discuss topics which are important in the library world… like eReaders, public services, books, tacos, and more.
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A monthly podcast for climate advocates hosted by Peterson Toscano & the CCR Team, high school and college-aged climate change action figures. We help you talk about global warming: its causes & impacts.

Smart conversations about today’s most interesting topics - a history podcast for everyone, produced by Origins from Ohio State's Department of History

New tracks tagged #Rachel Carson