Environmental consciousness in social work education and praxis

Social work, as a practice based discipline extends a progressive change through the holistic perspectives which includes social, cultural and economic development. As an academic discipline, social work always preferred to focuses on social problems. There is a strong correlation between social problems and environmental issues. Integration of green thought with professional social work education attempts to incorporate the consciousness towards environment conservation and protection among practitioners of social work. This paper attempts to assimilate environmental aspects into social work education and praxis. Thus the discipline can touch the heart of ecology that is the place where human beings spend their whole life as well as the nonhuman. The interactions and initiatives between people and environment develop a comprehensive approach to social work education. Therefore, this article explores the ubiquitous uses of the term sustainable development in social work literature. Discourse on environmental social work approaches promotes a clear understanding of the role of social workers in the contemporary society. As a justice and value based education, social work has to extend and cherish the knowledge production and practice on environmental social work.