Abstract
This paper advances an ecojustice definition of sustainability that considers the wellbeing of all - humans and more-than-humans – by using woody biomass energy as a case study. Woody biomass energy grew exponentially in the last 15 years as a promising alternative to fossil fuel-based energy sources. It has been lauded by the governments around the world as renewable and sustainable energy that contributes to the fight against climate change. This seemingly green energy, however, comes with dire public health and environmental impacts that are not widely recognized in policy and public discourses. the impacts of the industry on local communities and ecological wellbeing based on fieldwork and qualitative interviews with residents, community organizers, and ecologists. The stories from the interviews illustrate the daily air and noise pollution to which they are exposed, exacerbating their preexisting conditions and prompting new health issues. The stories also speak to the dire ecological impacts of the woody biomass energy industry. While the industry argues that it is renewable and sustainable because they source their feedstock from wood waste (unwanted tree rims, tops, understories, etc.) and because trees regrow, the evidence shows that the industry in fact clearcuts forests, including many natural and old growth forests, which obliterates many services that forests provide, including habitats, run off and flood prevention, carbon sink, and many more. Ultimately, the paper argues that woody biomass energy is not a just and sustainable energy solution from an ecojustice perspective.
Presenters
Etsuko KinefuchiProfessor, Communication Studies, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2026 Special Focus—Unseen Unsustainability: Addressing Hidden Risks to Long-Term Wellbeing for All
KEYWORDS
Woody Biomass, Ecojustice, Wood Pellets, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Energy
