Social work perspectives on climate change and vulnerable populations in the Caribbean: Environmental justice and health

Caribbean small island nations are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and some communities within these nations may be at increased risk for health and mental health consequences. Recent hurricanes and flooding in the region have highlighted the importance of preparation as well as inequities in response to natural disasters. Environmental justice offers a framework for environmental health that acknowledges inequalities arising from global climate change and directs resources to those most affected. Social work as a profession and social workers within communities are uniquely qualified to identify and respond to these environmental health challenges. In this article, the authors use examples from two Caribbean small island nations, Jamaica and Barbados, to explore environmental justice-oriented responses to climate change-related health and mental health challenges and suggest mechanisms for social work intervention.