A new book written by University of Northern British Columbia researchers delves into the increasingly rapid pace of change resource-dependent communities are facing in the global economy.

Geography Professor Dr. Greg Halseth and Research Manager Laura Ryser collaborated on Towards a Political Economy of Resource-dependent Regions. The book explores how the pace of change has increased in resource-dependent communities over the past three decades due to complex and interwoven economic, political, social, demographic, cultural, environmental and community changes.

“This book is a major product from our long-term research work and it describes the broader context for the changes that are impacting resource-dependent communities and economies,” says Halseth, the Canada Research Chair in Rural and Small Town Studies. “All of it builds from our experiences and research engagement with the changes and issues that are important for Northern B.C.”

The book identifies critical matters of context to help explain the changes in regions ranging from Northern B.C. to the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the Nordic countries. By looking at the trajectories of the changes in different regions around the world, Halseth and Ryser are identifying local solutions with global impact.

“The acceleration of change is linked, in part, with the greater connectivity provided by new transportation and communications technologies as well as the increasing interconnectedness of the global economy,” Halseth explains.

The book is published by Routledge and can be purchased here.