Rethinking forest industry through ecological justice – case Kymijoki

Finland’s forest industry has long been central to the nation’s economy but has also drastically reshaped its landscapes, communities, and livelihoods. The conventional forestry model has primarily focused on ensuring sustained yields of timber at the expense of the long-term ecological sustainability of the landscape. What if we rethought the industry and its relationship with nature, asks doctoral researcher Nicolette Slagle.

Ecological justice is a conceptual tool that can reshape our relationship with nature. It helps to recognize that nature has intrinsic rights, human well-being is linked to the health of the biosphere, and justice should extend to all community members, human and more-than-human. In my work, I explore the impact of the Finnish forest industry on the Kymijoki river and examine ecological justice as a path to a just future.

The Kymijoki valley, the birthplace of Finnish forestry, showcases the traditional tension between industrial forestry and ecological sustainability. Historically, the area supported diverse ecosystems and livelihoods like small-scale agriculture, seasonal logging, and fishing. The growth of the forest industry brought economic benefits but also disconnected communities from nature, destroyed fishing livelihoods, and deepened social inequalities. The expansion of forestry also resulted in large-scale draining and ditching that converted peatlands into forests as well as damming of rivers that altered the natural flow of water and eliminated the natural spawning of migratory fish, including salmon, trout, and eel. Additionally, intensive forest management practices promoted the growth of economically valuable tree species at the expense of biodiversity.

The impacts of forest industry on human health and well-being are also complex. The loss of native fish and the disconnection of communities from the seasonality of nature may have affected overall well-being. The industry’s expansion may even be linked to historical conflicts such as the Finnish Civil War. Today, communities continue to face challenges brought by the industry, including mill closures and the long-term effects of toxic contamination of the river.

This raises the question of how do we move forward in a way that prioritizes ecological justice? I suggest we rethink the activities of the area through the four aspects of ecological justice. These are rights, agency, recognition, and reconciliation.

Rights

The dams along the river impact the river’s right to flow unobstructed, and the rights of the migrator fish. Converting the existing dams to run-of-river power generation could help restore migratory fish populations and improve the ecology of the river which, in turn, would revitalize the local fishing economy. This conversion could also create employment opportunities in the area. Additionally, restructuring the dams could help balance the competing demands for water between energy production and fish.

Agency

Giving agency for nature means allowing it to thrive and flourish independently of human needs. For the Kymijoki, this means things like the ability to flood, scour and deposit sediment. Learning to live with a free-flowing Kymijoki may require the re-establishment of peatlands and flooded forests. Allowing the river the space to flood can also reduce the impacts of flooding on communities. This can be achieved by setting aside designated flood-plain areas and developing a better understanding the seasonality of the Kymijoki’s cycles.  

Recognition and taking responsibility

Understanding how humans have impacted the river, and how the river, in turn, has influenced human society, is vital for justice. The Kymijoki has played a significant role in Finnish society, serving as a cultural border, a salmon and trout river, and a source of power. It is also the birthplace of the forest industry giant UPM-Kymmene Oyj. UPM’s impact on the landscape of Kymenlaakso and its role in contaminating the Kymijoki raise important questions about the company’s responsibility in restoring the river.

Reconciliation and a reciprocal relationship with nature

Reconciliation goes beyond ecological restoration; it also requires us to develop a reciprocal relationship with nature. Finnish society should consider what it can give back to the Kymijoki whether by improving spawning habitats, protecting headwaters, or cleaning the riverbed. This involves recognizing the responsibilities of both society and industry while fostering a deeper sense of kinship with nature.