Social Work and the Environment: Understanding People and Place

As a profession with a long-standing declared focus on person-in-environment, social work might be expected to play a leadership role in interdisciplinary efforts to tackle environmental threats to human well-being and continued existence, yet the profession has generally been silent or less than relevant. This paper explores past and present neglect of the natural environment within mainstream social work. The profession’s longstanding person-in-environment perspective is examined for constraints that inhibit understanding of environmental issues and the development of effective strategies. Alternative understandings of the environment from specializations within the profession and related disciplines are considered. The paper concludes with directions toward new models of practice incorporating a view of people as place that may help us towards a broader mission of learning to live well in place