The Role of Social Work in Responding to the Impacts of Climate Change

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Holdsworth, Leah
Boddy, Jennifer
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Adamson, Carole

Alston, Margaret

Bennett, Bindi

Boddy, Jennifer

Boetto, Heather

Harms, Louise

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2024
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Abstract

Climate change and natural disasters are increasing in severity, and consequently there is a growing need for social workers to respond. This chapter explores the ongoing and growing impact of disasters on the most marginalised and oppressed peoples across the globe. It argues that social workers need to effectively challenge the status quo and disrupt dominant responses to those most affected by climate-related disasters. Consideration is given to the impact of disasters by looking through a socio-political lens, including current agendas surrounding climate change concerns. Discussion of intersectional disadvantage surrounding the impacts of disasters, and their disproportionate effect on marginalised peoples that further exacerbates existing patterns of global oppression, is provided. The chapter then outlines a macro perspective, describing the different theoretical responses to this growing field of social work practice, arguing that the profession has a responsibility to empower individuals and communities to respond to, and prepare for, disasters. There is a need for social workers to concurrently advocate with government and policymakers to mitigate ongoing disaster impacts, particularly for those most vulnerable in our communities. The chapter concludes with recommendations for social work practice, policy, and further research, to inform and guide future climate change-related disaster practice.

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The Routledge International Handbook of Social Work and Disaster Practice

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1st

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This accepted manuscript is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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Holdsworth, L; Boddy, J, The Role of Social Work in Responding to the Impacts of Climate Change, The Routledge International Handbook of Social Work and Disaster Practice, 2024, 1st, pp. 94-104

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