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Nature, genetics and the biophilia connection: Exploring linkages with social work values and practice

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Abstract

Social work's notion of environment and its environmental responsibilities have always been narrowly defined. The profession has tended to either neglect natural environmental issues or accept shallow ecological conceptualizations of nature as something other, quite separate from the human enterprise and/or outside the reach of social work activity. The Biophilia Hypothesis, first articulated by then Harvard evolutionary biologist E. O. Wilson in 1984, offers social work an fundamentally different view of the person/environment construct and argues for a primary shift in the way the profession views its relationship with the natural world. This article traces the conceptual development of Biophilia theory and reviews pivotal empirical evidence explicitly arguing for the
... In the first decade of the 21st century, social work practice experiences and cases of ecological marginality understanding and interventions have been enriched globally, providing a practical basis for the development of eco-social work. The proliferation of social work publications and research papers on the theme of green and sustainable development has contributed to the reproduction of concepts such as environmental social work, green social work, and eco-social work (Besthorn & Saleebey, 2008). ...
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Eco-social work is a new field of social work practice and research. The discussions about nature, ecology, environment, sustainable development, and indigenous eco-social knowledge gradually became a new direction for social work localization. Eco-social work emphasizes the intersubjectivity and the harmonious coexistence with nature, and the sustainability of welfare integration at the value level. It is the need of citizens to enhance environmental protection awareness and farmers and nomads to protect their ecological rights and interests. Eco-social work can integrate theoretical perspectives, such as ecosystem theory, strengths perspective, intersectionality perspective, and green development, to promote the innovation and application of the social work practice approaches of harmonious coexistence with nature. With professional, social, and cultural-ecological knowledge, eco-social work can build a bridge between the national ecological development plan and the ecological needs of traditional livelihoods. Besides, more knowledge of eco-social work will promote the effectiveness of environmental governance and the achievement of ecological welfare.
... It often appears to us and we have been told repeatedly that there is no alternative to the global religion of secular salvation through international markets of conspicuous consumption. And yet, many noted social critics, economists, political scientists and proponents from a vast array of non-governmental organization have been saying for decades that curbing overconsumption and moving toward a more sustainable and socially just economy is not only possible but is absolutely necessary if the world community is to avoid catastrophic environmental and social upheaval and fi nd ways to live in harmony (Besthorn, 2000(Besthorn, , 2001(Besthorn, , 2002aBesthorn & Canda, 2002;Besthorn & Saleebey, 2004;Eckersley, 1998Eckersley, , 1999International Institute for Environment and Development, 1998;Kasser, 2002;Michaelis, 2000;Myers, 2000;United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, 1999;United Nations Human Development Programme, 1998;World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987). The earth' s carrying capacity simply cannot support an American-made style of gargantuan consumptive excess. ...
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The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased social isolation and separation from the natural world. Social work practices should be more inclusive of the natural environment in the person-in-environment framework. Ecosocial work addresses the importance of the natural environment in social work practice. Interventions for engaging the natural environment in social work practice are explored. Connecting to the natural environment can be beneficial for personal and professional growth. The COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis that has provided time for reflection to reassess our relationship to nature. Social workers have the opportunity to incorporate biophilia and deep ecology for personal and professional growth. Moving forward to a post-pandemic world, recommendations to further engage with nature, particularly in urban settings, are considered.
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