Document Actions

Threats to Communities

Converting forests into low value products or shipping raw logs may serve the short-term interests of corporations but they don't build lasting community sustainability.

Industrial forestry not only threatens the ecosystems and wildlife of the Great Bear Rainforest, it weakens the region’s communities. For over 50 years, British Columbia has adhered to a forest strategy based on cutting high volumes of wood to produce low-value products. This strategy has failed repeatedly because dwindling timber supplies have forced mills to close. Communities such as Youbou, Gold River, Tahsis and Golden have faced economic uncertainty and job loss over the years because of the BC government’s shortsighted forestry strategy.

BC isn’t the only place where a high-volume, low-value strategy has failed. Oregon and Washington State, experienced a forest industry plunge in the 1980s. Competition increased in global markets, while more automated logging and processing technologies were introduced, leading to mass layoffs.

Today, communities in the Great Bear Rainforest face the same threats. Converting the region’s forests into low value products – or shipping them offshore as raw logs – may serve the short-term interests of corporate shareholders, but does little to build lasting community sustainability.

Few Local Jobs

The situation in BC may very well be worse than in other parts of the world. British Columbia employs the fewest number of people per tree cut of any logging country in the world. Only a small percentage of jobs created by logging in the Great Bear Rainforest employ people from the local communities. At the same time, logging companies continue to deplete the natural resources communities need to build a sustainable economy.

However, years of campaigning by environmental groups and widespread market pressure led to an interim agreement with government, industry and other stakeholders to protect the many important areas of the Great Bear Rainforest, change logging practices and support a sustainable future for local communities.

At this crucial stage, while we wait for the outcome of government-to- government negotiations, legislated protection and a clear long-term commitment from the BC government, the future of the Great Bear Rainforest is still uncertain.

photos: Adrian Dorst (banner), Al Harvey/Slidefarm (centre)

The Rainforest Solutions Project

Sections

Document Actions

Document Actions

Threats to Communities

Navigation History of the Campaign Building a Solution The Groups Threats to the ecosystem Threats to Communities Current Status Search Site Advanced Search… Document Actions Send this page Print this page	Threats to Communities Converting forests into low value products or shipping raw logs may serve the short-term interests of corporations but they don't build lasting community sustainability.
	You are here: Home - The Campaign - Threats to Communities Document Actions Send this page Print this page Threats to Communities Converting forests into low value products or shipping raw logs may serve the short-term interests of corporations but they don't build lasting community sustainability. Industrial forestry not only threatens the ecosystems and wildlife of the Great Bear Rainforest, it weakens the region’s communities. For over 50 years, British Columbia has adhered to a forest strategy based on cutting high volumes of wood to produce low-value products. This strategy has failed repeatedly because dwindling timber supplies have forced mills to close. Communities such as Youbou, Gold River, Tahsis and Golden have faced economic uncertainty and job loss over the years because of the BC government’s shortsighted forestry strategy. BC isn’t the only place where a high-volume, low-value strategy has failed. Oregon and Washington State, experienced a forest industry plunge in the 1980s. Competition increased in global markets, while more automated logging and processing technologies were introduced, leading to mass layoffs. Today, communities in the Great Bear Rainforest face the same threats. Converting the region’s forests into low value products – or shipping them offshore as raw logs – may serve the short-term interests of corporate shareholders, but does little to build lasting community sustainability. Few Local Jobs The situation in BC may very well be worse than in other parts of the world. British Columbia employs the fewest number of people per tree cut of any logging country in the world. Only a small percentage of jobs created by logging in the Great Bear Rainforest employ people from the local communities. At the same time, logging companies continue to deplete the natural resources communities need to build a sustainable economy. However, years of campaigning by environmental groups and widespread market pressure led to an interim agreement with government, industry and other stakeholders to protect the many important areas of the Great Bear Rainforest, change logging practices and support a sustainable future for local communities. At this crucial stage, while we wait for the outcome of government-to- government negotiations, legislated protection and a clear long-term commitment from the BC government, the future of the Great Bear Rainforest is still uncertain. photos: Adrian Dorst (banner), Al Harvey/Slidefarm (centre)