Towards Neo‐Productivism? – Finnish Paths in the Use of Forest and Sea

This article focuses on shifts in the use of natural resources by referencing a theoretical discussion of post‐productivism and neo‐productivism. Transitions from one form of nature use to another are not straightforward but entail various cycles and combinations. Neo‐productivism appears to be a versatile concept fit for describing the use of natural resources, which is becoming more complex and difficult to describe. Neo‐productivism describes a renewed form of productivism that emphasises environmental perspectives and sustainability in addition to the production of natural resources. It includes new characteristics in the material utilisation of nature, including pressures towards production increase. Our case studies present two Finnish natural resource peripheries: in the Forest Karelia, forests have been central to landscapes and incomes, whereas livelihoods in the archipelago have been dependent on sea and fish stocks.