Fourty-one years ago, Rachel Carson challenged us to move beyond a consumers approach to nature, challenged us to put precaution over profit, and challenged our scientists to guide their research by care for the earth and human health. Much has been accomplished in 41 years: national and international regulation of toxic chemicals and pollution, the birth of the modern day environmental movement, growth in the field of environmental studies worldwide. But our spiraling consumption of resources and our disregard for how we discard the materials we use have resulted in irreparable damage to the earth. We are challenged today to rapidly develop alternatives to our current unsustainable practices, to stem the pace of climate change, to reverse the dangerous erosion of human fertility, and to address the root causes of spiraling cancers and chronic diseases.
 
Carson developed her environmental consciousness throughout her lifetime, but it was here at Chatham College (then the Pennsylvania College for Women) that she developed her love for writing, keen research skills and passion for nature. Today's students are at the forefront of the global environmental movement, investigating the links between consumption, environmental change and human illness, debating alternatives, engaging in advocacy, and participating in research to find solutions to the most pressing of environmental problems.
 
Chatham College is committed to creating an educational and applied environment where students are given the opportunity to participate in developing solutions to lesson our environmental impact. As a campus community we continue to look for ways to incorporate the eCollegie commitment into our daily lives at Chatham College.

Back to the Top