What Chernobyl Taught Me About Cities and Environmental Disasters

When I first learned about Chernobyl, it felt like something out of a movie. I imagined an empty city with broken buildings and nature slowly taking over the streets. At the time, it seemed too distant and unreal to ever feel personal. But as I started learning more, that changed. I realized Chernobyl wasn’t just some forgotten place in history. It was a real city, with real people, and it reminded me a lot of places we live in today.

Chernobyl was full of normal life. Kids went to school, parents went to work, and families did the things families do. Then, one night, everything was gone. A nuclear accident forced everyone to leave, and they were told it would only be for a few days. They never went back. What really stayed with me was how fast it happened. One moment the city was alive, and the next it was completely empty.

What makes it worse is that there was no warning. No one was prepared. The people in charge stayed quiet, and it was regular families who paid the price. The ones without power or resources were hit the hardest. I remember reading about how disasters like this always affect the most vulnerable people first. After seeing what happened in Chernobyl, I believe that more than ever.

In a paper I wrote last year, I looked at how pollution and environmental problems hit low-income communities the most, especially in cities. What happened in Chernobyl showed that clearly. It wasn’t just the land that was damaged. It was the people who suffered. Whole neighborhoods disappeared. Lives were changed forever.

We often talk about the environment like it's only about nature, but Chernobyl made me realize it's also about people. Families were split up. Homes were left behind. An entire community was lost. That’s what really made it feel real to me.

Even now, a lot of cities are facing similar risks. It might not be from a nuclear accident, but pollution, poor energy choices, and slow leadership still put people in danger. The warning signs are there, but sometimes no one listens until it’s too late.

Learning about Chernobyl is what got me interested in environmental law. I want to understand how these problems happen and how they can be prevented. Chernobyl isn’t just something from the past. It’s a warning that still matters today. A city that seems fine today can be gone tomorrow if we don’t pay attention.

That’s why I care about telling these stories. Not just to talk about the science or the damage, but to remind people what’s really at stake. It’s not just about trees and air. It’s about people and communities. And we need to protect them before it's too late.