"Jobs Talk": Retreating from the social sustainability of forestry communities

Abstract

Changes in land use and forestry practices in coastal British Columbia have resulted in a period of "transition" for forestry communities. Here I examine proposals by environmental non-governmental organizations and transition strategies developed by government to maintain the social sustainability of forestry communities during economic transition. This examination reveals that the primary focus of transition is a concern for jobs, primarily jobs of "displaced forestry workers." I argue that this focus on jobs is unnecessarily narrow and is insufficient in promoting the social sustainability of these places. Key words: social sustainability, forestry communities, transition