Greenland sees bright side of warming

The BBC recently published an insightful article on Greenland, global warming and life on this northern island. This article highlights some of the changes that are occurring: more potatoes are being grown in the south of Greenland as the warmer climate makes for a longer growing season. However, the important information is at the end of the article: the authors highlight the challenges facing Greenland. The leadership is seeking greater development to generate funds for Greenland. Below, an excerpt from the article:

The government of Greenland is worried about the human impact of the ice melt.

"There is sea ice for two to three months less every year," says Aleqa Hammond, Minister for Finance and Foreign Affairs. "For the communities in the north who live solely off hunting and fishing, it's like your boss taking away your pay for a couple of months without giving you notice."

Ms Hammond reckons that the number of Greenlanders living only off hunting could have dropped by as much as 6,000 in the past 10 years, from 8,000 to only 2,000 now. That's a significant social change in a country with a population of around 56,000. "I come from a hunting family," she says. "Five of my uncles were hunters. Now only two are."

'Political independence'

While Ms Hammond is very concerned about how quickly northern communities will have to adapt to climate change, she is also optimistic about the positive developments it could bring. She points to the greater volumes of halibut being caught off the west coast due to warmer sea temperatures, and the return of cod to some areas.

In addition to achieving more self-sufficiency in food products, she wants to develop hydroelectric power, oil and gas exploration, and the mining of Greenland's rich mineral deposits. All of this could become technically easier as the ice melts.

Greenland has signed a memorandum of understanding with the US company Alcoa to build a huge aluminium smelter using the country's plentiful water reserves.

"All of this can help us to reduce our economic dependence on Denmark," says Ms Hammond, "and could eventually lead to political independence."

Denmark currently gives about US$600m a year to Greenland, equivalent to about half its budget. Since 1979 Greenland has had home rule, but not full independence.

So will Greenland be a net beneficiary or a loser from climate change? On the one hand, it could lose a proud Inuit heritage of dog sleds and whale hunting, walruses, seals and polar bears. But on the other it may gain economically.

"You are not really comparing like with like," says Professor Rosing. "Loss of cultural identity and economic benefits are two different categories. You can't quantify the loss of our traditions. The real problem is that we are having to adapt so quickly."

Greenland's population is composed mainly of the indigenous Greenlanders (the indigenous Greenlanders refer to themselves as Kalaallit and represent close to 88% of the population of Greenland ). The Kalaallit are closely related to the Canadian Inuit in language and culture. Though it is still part of the Danish state, Greenland benefits from a great deal of autonomy under Home Rule.

For more information on the Kalallit, the International Work Group for Indigenous affairs features Greenland in its country profiles, providing a concise overview on Greenland and its indigenous population.