Climate disasters are becoming increasingly common around the world, with marginalized populations often experiencing these events so frequently that they become normalized. A recent study conducted by the University of Kansas focused on a neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea, where residents have developed a “disaster subculture” due to their regular exposure to extreme weather conditions. Joonmo Kang, the assistant professor of social welfare who led the research, spent a year living in the impoverished neighborhood of Jjokbang-chon to better understand the residents’ experiences.
Residents of Jjokbang-chon live in tiny, 70-square-foot units and routinely face extreme heat and cold. Despite the challenging conditions, many residents expressed indifference to the climate disasters, attributing it to their lack of options or resources. Kang’s study sheds light on the complex reality faced by marginalized communities in relation to climate change and how social work must adapt to effectively respond to these challenges. The research, published in the International Journal of Social Welfare, is part of Kang’s wider work in climate justice and eco social work.
Through informal conversations and semi-structured interviews with residents, Kang discovered how they have adapted to living in extreme conditions. Some residents revealed that they preferred living in a jjokbang over experiencing homelessness despite not being allowed to install cooling systems beyond fans. The study also highlighted how living in constant distress had led the residents to develop a sense of normalcy regarding their situation. This “disaster subculture” has caused them to accept extreme conditions as a part of their daily lives.
While it may be difficult to comprehend how individuals can develop a tolerance for unbearable weather conditions, community organizers working with the Jjokbang-chon population offered insights. They suggested that residents may express acceptance as a way of coping with their circumstances, even though they desire to improve their situation but lack the means to do so. Kang emphasized the importance of understanding the lived experiences of vulnerable populations in order to effectively address their needs and empower them to advocate for themselves.
Kang compared the residents’ situation to the boiling frog metaphor, where the gradual increase in temperature leads to the frog’s demise. Similarly, people living in extreme conditions may be exposed to trauma over long periods, but can provide valuable insights into addressing these issues. The field of social work has a responsibility to serve the world’s most vulnerable populations and must prioritize understanding the root causes of why people are living in such conditions. Kang emphasized the importance of listening to the experiences and needs of marginalized communities to effectively address climate-related challenges.
In his ongoing and future work, Kang intends to further explore strategies to advocate for and empower marginalized communities to address climate-related issues that affect them daily. He stressed that individuals who are directly impacted by climate disasters are best positioned to inform and guide efforts to address these challenges. By listening to the perspectives and lived experiences of those most affected, social workers can collaborate with communities to implement solutions that address their specific needs and create a more sustainable future for all.
