The challenge is responding to global ecological degradation and its consequences.
1. Nothing is more compelling given the rapidity of climate change and its already visible effects – with more, and worse, to come! All evidence suggests, further, that the range of anticipated effects (e.g. health, geographic displacement, capacity to earn a livelihood) will be felt most strongly and with greatest impact on the world’s most vulnerable populations.
2. Read any of Bill McKibben’s work. Much could/can be done, but is not – whether due to the persistence of denial or to corporate domination of political decision-making (almost certainly both).
3. Progress surely “can be made in a decade.” Indeed, the urgency is such that meaningful and measurable progress “must” be made, or we’re likely a doomed civilization, on the precipice of a descent into barbarism.
4. The challenge is already generating such collaboration – though it appears social work/social welfare is late to the party. Time to jump in with both feet (and all other physical and mental parts) without delay.
5. Yes – at least if “innovation” includes recovering a commitment to courageous activism on behalf of the marginalized, vulnerable and oppressed, first of all, and, more generally, social work’s humanistic and democratic traditions.