Environmental Social Work

Social work has been late to engage with the environmental movement. Often working with an exclusively social understanding of environment “ and neglecting the physical aspects “ much of the social work profession has overlooked the importance of environmental issues. However, recently, the impact of climate change, a string of natural disasters and increased understanding of issues around environmental justice has put the environment and sustainability in the spotlight. Divided into three parts, this field-defining work explores what environmental social work is, and how it can be put into practice. The first part focuses on theory, discussing ecological and social justice, a typology of environmental social work, sustainability, spirituality and human rights. The second part is comprised of case studies of environmental social work practice. The case studies are derived from a range of areas from urban gardens and community organizing to practice with those affected by climate change. The final part “ relevant to both students and lecturers “ looks at learning about environmental issues in social work. Environmental Social Workprovides an integrated theoretical and practical overview of why and how social work must respond to environmental factors affecting the societies and people they work with at international, national, local and individual levels.