Canada faces a chemical pollution crisis — and the time to act is now
2022-05-04
“The most alarming of all assaults upon the environment is the contamination of the air, earth, rivers, and seas with dangerous, and even lethal, materials. This pollution has rapidly become almost universal, and it is for the most part irrecoverable.” — Rachel Carson, Silent Spring, 1962.
The world is increasingly aware of the impacts we face from climate chaos and the massive loss of biodiversity. Thanks to extensive media coverage, committed activists and scientific warnings, people everywhere are increasingly demanding governments take bold action to confront these crises. Chemical pollution, and the damage to our well-being and the future of this planet it poses, remains an existential risk.
But, 40 years ago, environmental journalist Rachel Carson warned of an equally perilous crisis; that of the harmful impacts of unregulated chemicals, pesticides and other dangerous substances created by industry. Her work Silent Spring first drew attention to this crisis and is credited with launching the modern environmental movement.
Today, this crisis remains as serious and as threatening as ever. Chemical pollution, and the damage to our well-being and the future of this planet it poses, remains an existential risk.
Canada National Observer, 4-05-22
; https://www.nationalobserver.com/2022/05/04/opinion/canada-faces-chemical-pollution-crisis-and-time-act-now