Social implications of forest energy production.

Forest management and use are largely dictated by human interests and concerns. The discussion of sustainability of forest ecosystems must therefore consider public perceptions and values relating to forests and their use, including their use for energy production. This chapter discusses firstly the importance of wood-based energy in the lives of people in developing countries, and then the particular role of forest energy production in remote northern regions with aboriginal peoples. Public perceptions and values of urban people are examined because these can have a strong influence on forest management and use for energy production, even though they are not based on direct experience of the forest. Finally, some insight is provided about the design of fuelwood operations in urbanized societies and the relationships between forest energy production and rural employment.