Structural Inequality in Global Timber-Based Commodity Chains

For centuries our global timber resources have been used in the reproduction of societies. Timber has and will continue to play a vital part in human existence and expansion. However, fairly recent technological and cultural transformations have dramatically altered they way in which humans interact with global timber supplies. In an era of ever increasing globalization, access to and exploitation of global timber resources has increased tremendously leaving a mark on all areas of the globe. Given these transformations, what are the consequences of such timber extraction both regionally and globally? Who bears the heaviest burden of continued timber consumption? These are some of the questions this research attempts to address.

Born in rural California, Gary Shurtz was raised in a timber family and his research interests reflect a childhood connection to the forest as well as a passion for social justice. He graduated from Humboldt State University in 2013 with a M.A. degree in Sociology.