Original Article
Appetite for Destruction? China, Ecologically Unequal Exchange, and Forest Loss†
John M. Shandra,
Michael Restivo,
Jamie M. Sommer,
Corresponding Author
John M. Shandra
Department of Sociology, State University of New York at Stony Brook
Direct correspondence to John M. Shandra, Department of Sociology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY; e-mail: john.shandra@stonybrook.edu.
Search for more papers by this authorMichael Restivo
Department of Sociology, State University of New York at Geneseo
Search for more papers by this authorJamie M. Sommer
Department of Sociology, University of South Florida
Search for more papers by this authorJohn M. Shandra,
Michael Restivo,
Jamie M. Sommer,
Corresponding Author
John M. Shandra
Department of Sociology, State University of New York at Stony Brook
Direct correspondence to John M. Shandra, Department of Sociology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY; e-mail: john.shandra@stonybrook.edu.
Search for more papers by this authorMichael Restivo
Department of Sociology, State University of New York at Geneseo
Search for more papers by this authorJamie M. Sommer
Department of Sociology, University of South Florida
Search for more papers by this author†
Direct correspondence to John M. Shandra, Department of Sociology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY; e-mail: john.shandra@stonybrook.edu.
Abstract
We test the hypothesis from the theory of ecologically unequal exchange that agricultural exports to China are related to increased forest loss in low- and middle-income nations exporting to it. We do so by analyzing data for 75 low- and middle-income nations using ordinary least squares regression. We find support for our hypothesis that flows of agricultural exports from low- and middle-income nations to China are related to increased forest loss in exporting nations. We also find that a country's total agricultural exports, proximity of forest to infrastructure, and protected areas tend to increase forest loss.
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