Utilizing International Group Work to Address the Impact of Climate Change on Social Work Practice: A Mutual Aid Approach

Abstract

The climate crisis is a social and ecological justice issue with implications for social work practice. While social workers have begun to recognize the importance of this in their work, the struggle to establish a role in addressing it lingers, resulting in feelings of helplessness and frustration. This paper explores the impact of the climate crisis on the field of social work from international social work perspectives and focuses on the role that mutual aid groups can play for social workers seeking to minimize the impact of the climate crisis on disadvantaged populations. This research highlights the relevance of actively engaging with the implications of climate injustice within social work practice. Additionally, the study highlights the potential of group work as a method to empower social workers to more actively address the climate crisis.