Recognising the Role Eco-grief Plays in Responding to Environmental Degradation

Abstract

This article aims to highlight the importance of a growing need for social work to incorporate the natural environment within research, education and practice. It is becoming imperative that social workers have an understanding of how climate related events such as environmental degradation and exploitation of natural resources, will impact on the people they work with. Communities worldwide are being affected by changing weather patterns and with constant news coverage available through technology, we are bearing witness to events taking place on a global level. Eco-grief is a term that has been used to describe feelings of helplessness, loss and frustration in an inability to make a difference within these changing times as related to the environment, as well as feelings that may emerge after going through one of these extreme events. This article will aim to link the research, values and behaviour associated with eco-grief with how we can respond to environmental depletion. Included will be a bringing awareness to the importance of social work having a more focussed and intentional link to the natural environment in light of the ever increasing evidence that we are in a period of climate change and the impact that has on communities and individuals. A discussion around encouraging and building positive relationships with the natural world, increasing the capacity to recognise the importance of sustainable livelihoods and ability to protect and care for the natural environment will also be present.