Climate Change, Social Work, and the Transition Away from Fossil Fuels: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Climate change is a crisis in our midst. This scoping review examines practices to transition away from fossil fuels in the social work literature, to inform social work engagement in climate mitigation and in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and 13 (Climate Action). We searched peer-reviewed and grey literature, applying the inclusion criteria: (1) published on or since 1 January 2005; (2) social work literature; (3) examines at least one topic related to the transition away from fossil fuels; and (4) describes, examines, or evaluates a specific form of practice for the transition away from fossil fuels that occurred or is occurring. Fifty-eight items met the inclusion criteria, containing 79 practices. The most frequent practice types were “organizing or advocacy” and “energy at home”. Common targets of change were individuals/households and private industry. The most organizing against private industry was led by Indigenous or Tribal nations. More social work engagement in the transition away from fossil fuels is needed, including engagement that embraces an ecosocial approach. Local organizing, advocacy, and program development are an area of strength and an intervention scale at which social workers can influence multi-prong efforts to transition away from fossil fuels. New social work policy analysis and advocacy at global, national, and state levels is also recommended.

Yeşil Adaletin Sesi: İklim Değişikliği Karşısında Sosyal Hizmetin Rolü ve Mücadelesi

“…Smith (2022), makro sosyal hizmet pratiğinin iklim değişikliği ile nasıl mücadele edebileceğine dair stratejileri tartışarak, sosyal hizmetin bu alandaki potansiyelini ortaya koymaktadır. Bu araştırma, sosyal hizmet uzmanlarının iklim değişikliği ile mücadeledeki rollerini, bilgi düzeylerini ve deneyimlerini daha iyi anlamayı amaçlayarak, Smith'in vurguladığı bu potansiyeli gerçekleştirmek için gerekli temeli sağlaması açısından önemlidir.…”

“…Howard ve arkadaşları (2022), çalışmalarında sosyal hizmet ve insan hizmetleri profesyonellerinin iklim değişikliği sürecinde üstlenmesi gereken sorumlulukları derinlemesine incelemektedir. Bu çalışma sosyal hizmet uzmanlarının iklim değişikliği ile mücadelede karşılaştıkları zorlukları ve fırsatları anlamak için kritik bir perspektif sunmaktadır.…”

Analysis of the Techno-Economic Competitiveness of a Three-Stage Membrane Separation Process for Biogas Upgrading Using a Biopolymer-Based Mixed-Matrix Membrane

“…2 Besides the development of policies that promote energy efficiency; carbon capture, utilization, and storage; or sustainable land use to mitigate the consequences of CO 2 emissions, the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources is a critical step to replace the use of fossil fuels and avoid CO 2 emissions. 3 This search for viable alternatives to fossil fuels has been intensified, focusing on two primary categories: renewable energies and alternative fuels. 4 Renewable energies, including solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, offer significant promise in the transition away from fossil fuels.…”

“…Recognizing the role of fossil fuels in global warming is essential for addressing the urgent need to reduce emissions, transition to cleaner energy sources, and take meaningful steps toward mitigating the impacts of climate change on a global scale . Besides the development of policies that promote energy efficiency; carbon capture, utilization, and storage; or sustainable land use to mitigate the consequences of CO 2 emissions, the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources is a critical step to replace the use of fossil fuels and avoid CO 2 emissions …”

Enhancing Photovoltaic Performance with BaTiO3/MWCNTs Composite Photoelectrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…The consumption of energy around the globe has been continuously climbing for nearly half a century, and the global energy demand is estimated to reach 17 terawatts (TW) by 2040 [1]. The combustion of fossil fuels, which can include coal, oil, and gas, is the source of the great majority of this energy [2,3]. These fuels contribute to the emission of greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide and other gasses that trap heat in the atmosphere, which in turn contributes to the global warming and climate change [4,5].…”