Advancing Environmental Justice and Sustainable Practices in Rural Social Work: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Sustainability and environmental justice are crucial elements of equitable community development in rural areas, where social and environmental vulnerabilities are often intertwined. In rural places, this is particularly true. Rural communities have unique challenges, such as limited access to resources, remote locations, and inadequate legal frameworks, raising the possibility of environmental dangers. These communities often bear a disproportionate share of the burden of environmental deterioration yet have little access to sustainable alternatives and advocacy networks. Social work is in an unmatched position to address these intricate issues because of its strong emphasis on social justice and community well-being. This systematic study aims to explore the relationship between environmental justice and social work practice with an emphasis on interventions that seek to support sustainable development and address ecological imbalances in rural regions. It explores how social workers may contribute to reducing the negative effects of environmental injustices on a local, national, and worldwide scale through advocacy, education, and adopting sustainable practices. This study aims to find important challenges, excellent practices, and useful recommendations for integrating environmental justice into rural social work frameworks. This is achieved by analyzing recent works and case studies from various geographic and cultural contexts.