“One way to open your eyes is to ask yourself, "What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would I would never see it again?”
Rachel Carson held a deep love for the natural world. She felt it as a child playing in the woods, and she felt it as an adult scientist, studying the intricate web of life. This love is what gave her the motivation to write her bestselling book Silent Spring, which raised awareness of the devastating harms of pesticides and polution on human health and the environment. She is considered the mother of our modern day environmental movement.
One way to celebrate Rachel Carson’s birthday, is to find something in the natural world with which you feel a strong connection. Do you have a favorite tree? What makes it your favorite? Do you have a special memory associated with it? Write a poem about it, or to it. Or just sit under it. Or just think about being under it and send it your appreciation.
Here’s another idea- check out this International Essay Contest for Young People (up to age 25). Annual themes vary, but they center around how each of us can make a difference in the world in promoting a culture of peace. (Deadline June 15)
https://www.goipeace.or.jp/en/work/essay-contest/