[INSTITUTIONS] - KULPER - STUDENT WORK



Evan Weinman


"Chernobyl: Explorations in Time"




The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone: a territory created as a result of the worst manmade disaster in history. With a half life of 20,000 years, Plutonium-239 hotspots have rendered the land surrounding the power plant inhospitable almost indefinitely. The past events of Chernobyl represent a warning shot aimed at humanity. The future of Chernobyl is an opportunity. We must consider the 20,000 year Plutonium half-life as a demand for continual care, political sovereignty, and ongoing adaptation. At this time scale, cultural identity becomes paramount. Simultaneously, the wellbeing of plants, animals, and the environment are essential in preserving our existence into the distant future.