Why Climate Change Matters for Vulnerable Populations in South Africa: A Social Work Perspective

Climate change adversely affects vulnerable populations within society, and it compounds existing injustices to marginalised people. Hence, social workers, who are proponents for social justice have a responsibility to protect vulnerable populations from the negative impacts of climate change. This directly correlates with the profession being charged with enhancing human wellbeing. Based on a critical review, this chapter contextualises and reports on the relationship between climate change and social work from a South African perspective. Furthermore, the effects of climate change on vulnerable populations are assessed. Two major vulnerable populations have been identified as especially susceptible to the effects of climate change: people living in poverty and women. Although poverty is an existing issue within society, those living in poverty are disproportionally affected by climate change especially women who are vulnerable to environmental degradations due to capitalism and patriarchy. Moreover, the instability of South Africa’s economic and social sectors increases the likelihood for the country’s existing health and socio-economic inequalities to worsen, thereby exacerbating the vulnerability of women and the poor. Due to the significant impacts of climate change upon livelihoods in the Global South, it creates a remit for social workers to act and support vulnerable populations.