Ecosocial work and social change in community practice

This special issue entitled, “Ecosocial Work and Social Change in Community Practice,” focuses on an array of contexts, policies, practices, and challenges as well as successes related to an emerging vision for ecosocial work. Ecosocial work is social work, with all its depth and breadth, but it approaches the analysis of social problems, issues, and concerns with an ecosocial paradigm or lens, rather than an anthropocentric lens (Matthies & Närhi, 2016). Thus, ecosocial work is not a specialty within social work, rather all social work can, and we argue should, be ecosocial work. The ecosocial lens recognizes the interconnectedness of all life in our ecosystem, and thus, the fair and sustainable use of resources to promote these relationships and the well-being of all. This lens requires us to critically examine and question modern societal structures, values, beliefs, practices, and ways of life that lead to social and ecological injustices through over-consumerism, materialism, anthropocentrism, oppression, and exploitation of people and planet (Boetto, 2017; Coates, 2003; Matthies, Närhi, & Ward, 2001). From this perspective, ecosocial work is inclusive of structural social work in addressing the social structures causing social problems. It, therefore, pays particular attention to the socio-economic and political structures of a society/community; and, above all, it highlights how neo-liberalization increases inequality and vulnerability in certain communities (Matthies & Närhi, 2016). Ecosocial work encompasses green social work, interprofessional green care practices that bring people into contact with nature, and degrowth perspectives (Boetto, 2017; D’Alisa, Demaria, & Kallis, 2014; Dominelli, 2012; Ramsay & Boddy, 2017; Powers & Rinkel, 2018). We recognize that there is debate around some terms and concepts and the authors in this special issue may have various ways of presenting ecosocial work. As editors, we concur with a general consensus that environmental justice is more anthropocentric as it focuses on the impact on human populations and disparities created as a result of climate change, environmental degradation, and policies related to environmental management (e.g., fishing policies, disaster recovery). Ecological justice, on the other hand articulates a broader, ecosocial vision of justice – justice for the ecosystem as a whole with the understanding that humans are only one part of this ecosystem. If the ecosystem collapses, humans may not survive. Ecosocial work is applicable at all levels of practice (e.g., micro, mezzo, macro) (see Rinkel & Powers, 2018); for purposes of this special issue, we focus on its application in community practice. The Journal of Community Practice is a fitting home for this special issue because it is the official journal of the Association for Community Organization and Social Action (ACOSA). This year, ACOSA changed the words represented by letters “SA” from “Social Administration” to “Social Action.” This distinguishes us better by emphasizing that social work is not just about “administering” social programs, but about actually bringing people together to engage in social action to create social change that enhances the well-being of society. Thus, it is fitting that we have a special issue devoted to Ecosocial Work and Social Change, because this extends the vision of macro practice from society to the ecosystem, and offers a way forward for lasting and effective change. For example, ecosocial work includes interventions toward meeting the United JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PRACTICE 2019, VOL. 27, NOS. 3–4, 205–212 https://doi.org/10.1080/10705422.2019.1660516