What Can Be Learned?
Bhopal child born with birth defects
The Bhopal Gas Disaster stirs up a variety of emotions; pain, anger, and sadness. The tragedy that occurred in 1984 has yet to be concluded. Closure may never come for the victims, who live with the repercussions everyday. Closure may never come, but there are lessons that have been learned because of Bhopal.
Bhopal has taught us that every decision has a consequence. In the case of Bhopal, the decision to turn off the safety systems, turned out to cause more destruction than it should have. Had the safety systems been in working order, the leak would not have been as damaging.
The second lesson that can be learned is that the legal system does not always work to protect victims. Bhopal has shown that sometimes corporations do not have to pay for the crimes they commit. The polluter does not always have to pay.
The main lesson to be learned from the Bhopal Gas Disaster is about the dangers of the chemicals that we use everyday. Now we know about what the chemicals we use on a regular basis can do to our bodies and surroundings. The world had to learn the hard way how chemicals can harm future generations.
“The world’s worst industrial catastrophe” has taught the world many things, but there are many lessons that have not been learned yet. The most important lesson that has not been learned is how to prevent future leaks. Safety measures reduce the chances of leaks, but many leaks still occur all over the world. It makes one wonder if societies’ dependency on chemicals really worth the risk.
Sign used during protests
Remains of victims
Flyer for the 25th anniversary
