38 Environmental Rights and Justice
Why did the disaster happen?
The Bhopal disaster was, and is, a horrible event that should never have
happened. But, as horrible as it was, it is not surprising. The “But why…?”
activity can help understand the root causes of the Bhopal disaster.
Why were so many
people harmed
by the chemical
disaster?
Because the factory
was located in a
crowded and poor
part of the city.
But why
was the
factory
located
there?
Because the
company and
government were
not concerned
about poor
people’s safety.
All over the world, corporations build their polluting factories, toxic dumps,
and other dangerous industrial projects among people who are most oppressed
by poverty and low status. In this way, poor countries and communities
become dumping grounds for toxic industries, products, and pollution. This
is why protecting environmental health is not just a matter of each of us
changing the products we use and how we dispose of them, but of all of us
challenging how the powerful abuse their power and how the most vulnerable
among us are made to suffer damage to their health.
But why was an
American company
making pesticides
in India?
Because they could
make a bigger
profit there.
But why can
they make a
bigger profit?
Because they can
pay workers less and
ignore the health
and safety of workers
and people nearby.
But why do the
US and Indian
governments let them
get away with this?
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012