Brazilian Silent Spring: The Reality of Pesticides in Brazil

Abstract

This study examines the relevance of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring as a landmark in environmental activism, highlighting the harmful effects of pesticides on human health and ecosystems, particularly through the processes of bioaccumulation and biomagnification. It adopts a qualitative, exploratory approach, grounded in documentary analysis and literature review, integrating theoretical contributions from critical environmental education with data presented in the chapter “Brazilian Silent Spring.” The research connects Carson’s warnings to the Brazilian context, characterized by the increasing use of agrochemicals, contamination of ultra-processed foods, and impacts on vulnerable communities. The author advocates for the critical inclusion of this theme in school curricula, aiming to foster politically engaged and environmentally conscious citizens. Cases such as Pantanal deforestation and indigenous contamination underscore the urgent need for effective environmental policies and transformative educational practices.