Law Before Disaster: What I Learned in Málaga About Responsibility and the FutureOpinion Article

Abstract

Drawing on my experience during an Erasmus+ mobility programme at the Faculty of Law in Málaga, this article reflects on a question that extends beyond the boundaries of environmental law: What can the law do before a known risk becomes a disaster? My academic experiences, visit to CIFAL Málaga, encounters with local biodiversity, and exposure to the city's cultural heritage showed me that legal protection should be understood not merely as a response to harm, but also as a framework for organising prevention, information-sharing, cooperation, and public accountability. My perspective is supported by recent developments in international and European law, research on climate risks, and academic literature on legal education for sustainability. The education of future legal professionals must foster the ability to understand vulnerability, interpret scientific evidence, and recognise the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary risks. International academic mobility is not merely an educational experience; it is also an opportunity for professional growth and for developing a sense of responsibility towards the communities in which the law will ultimately be applied.