A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
The ecosocial paradigm in social work : Striving for planetary well-being (2024)

Stamm, I., Ranta-Tyrkkö, S., Matthies, A.-L., & Närhi, K. (2024). The ecosocial paradigm in social work : Striving for planetary well-being. In M. Elo, J. Hytönen, S. Karkulehto, T. Kortetmäki, J. S. Kotiaho, M. Puurtinen, & M. Salo (Eds.), Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Planetary Well-Being (pp. 177-188). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003334002-18

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Stamm, Ingo; Ranta-Tyrkkö, Satu; Matthies, Aila-Leena; Närhi, Kati

Parent publication: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Planetary Well-Being

Parent publication editors: Elo, Merja; Hytönen, Jonne; Karkulehto, Sanna; Kortetmäki, Teea; Kotiaho, Janne S.; Puurtinen, Mikael; Salo, Miikka

ISBN: 978-1-032-36828-3

eISBN: 978-1-003-33400-2

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 15/06/2023

Pages range: 177-188

Number of pages in the book: 270

Publisher: Routledge

Place of Publication: Abingdon

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003334002-18

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/88235

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the concept of planetary well-being from the perspective of social work. Social work is a practice-oriented profession and academic discipline that takes many different forms globally. We present an outline of the emerging ecosocial paradigm in social work. This rather new approach attempts to adjust the profession’s core emphasis on social problems of and between human beings, shifting it to a position that puts humanity’s dependence on the natural environment at its centre. The chapter discusses the similarities between the ecosocial paradigm and the concept of planetary well-being. It further asks what added value the concept of planetary well-being might bring to social work ethics as well as social work practice. The chapter concludes that the concept of planetary well-being coincides in many ways with the ecosocial paradigm. In addition to being a useful aid for looking beyond traditional social work ethics and practices, the planetary well-being concept can also help social workers and their clients to reconsider their role regarding the well-being of other species and whole ecosystems.

Keywords: social work; ecological social work; ecological sustainability; social sustainability; social justice; social workers; professional ethics

Free keywords: planetary well-being

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 3