WORKING WITH CLIMATE REFUGEES FOR WORLD ADAPTATION: Social Work Knowledge and Practices Addressing Global Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change

The global and accelerated dynamics of disasters and pandemics have included ecological degradation and human-made actions producing increased climate displacement and health emergencies. This chapter discusses the environmental degradation and ecological disasters associated with climate change and the resulting planetary, socio-economic, and health emergencies. Using case studies, the authors review notions about climate refugees, their status around the world, the vulnerabilities of this growing population, and the consequences of not addressing these problems. The authors examine the nexus of climate change with global migration and its relevance to social work values and principles. They discuss emerging policy options that international agencies and governments consider at national and local levels. They examine innovative interventions in working with climate refugees in selected countries, regions, and communities affected by these drastic ecological changes and practice techniques for radical self-care, as social workers are also impacted collectively and personally. The authors propose to integrate the human face of climate change within the profession and highlight the role of social workers in prevention, mitigation, and recovery, promoting resilience at the individual, family, community, and system levels. The authors also analyse the implications to social work policy, practice, education, and research of these global changes and adaptation solutions within and across borders.