Vulnerability

This chapter presents the history and current thinking on vulnerability as a concept in interdisciplinary environmental studies, arguing that it has proven valuable for understanding why some groups are more affected than others by the negative consequences of environmental challenges such as climate change. Citing key literature, we trace the conceptual development of vulnerability and discuss not only who is vulnerable, but how and why. We also discuss the importance of the subjective and collective (psychological, emotional, cultural) dimensions of vulnerability. This overview demonstrates the continued relevance of the concept to researchers and practitioners working on environmental and social change.