Summary

Changes in the world’s climate are exposing nations around the world to large environmental risks and frequent climate-related catastrophes, such as floods, droughts, and sea-level rise. Nations in the Global South are more vulnerable to climate change due to the long-term effects of endemic impoverishment, pervasive inequality, and acute food insecurity. The internal migration of impoverished people displaced from rural areas to cities has resulted in rapid urbanization, which produces substantial environmental impacts. Climate change accelerates internal displacement and increases social and environmental problems in marginalized areas, including poverty, child labor, social unrest, and juvenile delinquency. Adapting to climate change and mitigating its effects poses serious challenges, especially to nations with insufficient or inadequate systems and facilities. Examining the social work implications of climate change can provide guidance for clinical work, policy practice, research, and education aligned with climate action priorities set within the profession and global standards.