2nd Howard Liddell Memorial Lecture
The evening event followed the theme of Eco-Max, set out in the 1st memorial lecture in 2015, by focusing on the life and legacy of Rachel Carson. It began with a film “The Power of One Voice: A 50-Year Perspective on the Life of Rachel Carson“ - a documentary examining the profound implications of her environmental work. Following the film, Liz Rothchild gave a totally absorbing reading of her show about Carson's life.
Society owes a debt to Rachel, an American writer, biologist and campaigner and a courageous woman. Her writing is totally absorbing. In the late 1950s, she turned her attention to conservation and the environmental and medical problems caused by the over-use of synthetic pesticides. Her book Silent Spring brought these concerns to the American public. It prompted a reversal in national pesticide policy, which led to a nationwide ban on DDT and other chemicals which had been proved responsible for the increase in cancer and other diseases.
Her campaign resulted in personal ridicule and antagonsim. It continues today. Ironically Carson died after a battle with breast cancer. The film Underkastelsen - to show in Edinburgh in December - will continue the story.