Many people believed he couldn’t do it. Ski across the Greenland ice sheet, a vast, unmapped, high-elevation plateau of ice and snow? Madness.
But Fridtjof Nansen, a young Norwegian, proved them wrong. In 1888, he and his small party went light and fast, unlike two large expeditions a few years before. And unlike the others, Nansen traveled from east to west, giving himself no option of retreat to a safe base. It would be forward or die trying. He did it in seven weeks, man-hauling his supplies and ascending to 8,900ft (2,700 meters) elevation, where summertime temperatures dropped to -49F (-45C).That was then.
Last month, for the first time in recorded history, rain fell on the highest point of the Greenland ice sheet. It hardly made the news. But rain in a place historically defined by bitter cold portends a future that will alter coastlines around the world, and drown entire cities.
Read more at:
Rain fell on Greenland’s ice sheet for the first time ever known. Alarms should ring | Kim Heacox | The Guardian
Showing posts with label Greenland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greenland. Show all posts
9/15/21
9/9/20
Global Warming: Rise in sea level from ice melt in Greenland and Antarctica match worst-case scenario: study
About a year ago, water and climate expert Bob Sandford flew
over Greenland at a moment he says was historic, both scientifically and
climatically — the island recorded the most ice melt, about 11.3
billions tonnes, in a single day since recording began in the 1950s.
"It's an understatement to say that what I saw left me really quite devastated," Sandford said. He's the chair in water and climate security at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health.
Now, according to a recent study, led by Thomas Slater, a climate researcher at the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling at the University of Leeds, those rapidly melting ice sheets in Greenland, along with melting ice sheets in Antarctica are thought to be the main contributor to a rise in sea levels around the world. And the rate of the melt matches the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's worst-case climate warming scenario.
The study was co-authored by Anna Hogg, climate researcher with the University of Leeds in England, and Ruth Mottram, a climate researcher at the Danish Meteorological Institute.
The researchers compared the latest results from satellite surveys from the Ice Sheet Mass Balance Inter-comparison Exercise (IMBIE) — an international scientific collaboration of estimates of the ice sheet contribution to sea level rise — with calculations from climate models.
It shows that since the 1990s, melting ice sheets have raised the global sea level by 1.8 centimetres, but the latest measurements show that the world's oceans are now rising by four millimetres each year.
"The implications are profound; the risks posed by future sea level rise may be of a scale we simply are unprepared for. The speed at which ice melt contributions have overtaken thermal expansion contributions to sea level rise should alarm everyone on this planet."
Read more at:
Rise in sea level from ice melt in Greenland and Antarctica match worst-case scenario: study | CBC News
"It's an understatement to say that what I saw left me really quite devastated," Sandford said. He's the chair in water and climate security at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health.
Now, according to a recent study, led by Thomas Slater, a climate researcher at the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling at the University of Leeds, those rapidly melting ice sheets in Greenland, along with melting ice sheets in Antarctica are thought to be the main contributor to a rise in sea levels around the world. And the rate of the melt matches the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's worst-case climate warming scenario.
The study was co-authored by Anna Hogg, climate researcher with the University of Leeds in England, and Ruth Mottram, a climate researcher at the Danish Meteorological Institute.
The researchers compared the latest results from satellite surveys from the Ice Sheet Mass Balance Inter-comparison Exercise (IMBIE) — an international scientific collaboration of estimates of the ice sheet contribution to sea level rise — with calculations from climate models.
It shows that since the 1990s, melting ice sheets have raised the global sea level by 1.8 centimetres, but the latest measurements show that the world's oceans are now rising by four millimetres each year.
"The implications are profound; the risks posed by future sea level rise may be of a scale we simply are unprepared for. The speed at which ice melt contributions have overtaken thermal expansion contributions to sea level rise should alarm everyone on this planet."
Read more at:
Rise in sea level from ice melt in Greenland and Antarctica match worst-case scenario: study | CBC News
9/2/20
Greenland: Trump allegedly wanted to swap Puerto Rico for Greenland
On 18 August 2019, US president Donald Trump won worldwide attention
as he suggested he might buy Greenland, the world's largest island, and
its 57,000 inhabitants, from Denmark.
It now appears he may also have considered swapping Puerto Rico and its more than 3 million people in exchange for Greenland.
Miles Taylor, a former chief of staff to US secretary of homeland security Kirsjten Nielsen, said on MSNBC, a US television network, that the president told him and other staff, who were travelling to Puerto Rico, of his ideas.
"One time before we went he told us not only did he want to purchase Greenland. He actually said he wanted to see if we could sell Puerto Rico. Could we swap Puerto Rico for Greenland? Because in his words, Puerto Rico was dirty and the people were poor", Taylor said on August 19th.
Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, a Greenlandic member of the Danish Parliament, told EUobserver that she was appalled to learn of this latest development.
"If correct, it illustrates once again an understanding of other human beings which is completely unhinged. It underscores that we have to be careful that we are not swallowed by the US. We need the US as a military ally and security partner, but this tells us that we are not seen as a partner. It is stripped of all respect for other people," she said.
Trump allegedly wanted to swap Puerto Rico for Greenland
It now appears he may also have considered swapping Puerto Rico and its more than 3 million people in exchange for Greenland.
Miles Taylor, a former chief of staff to US secretary of homeland security Kirsjten Nielsen, said on MSNBC, a US television network, that the president told him and other staff, who were travelling to Puerto Rico, of his ideas.
"One time before we went he told us not only did he want to purchase Greenland. He actually said he wanted to see if we could sell Puerto Rico. Could we swap Puerto Rico for Greenland? Because in his words, Puerto Rico was dirty and the people were poor", Taylor said on August 19th.
Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, a Greenlandic member of the Danish Parliament, told EUobserver that she was appalled to learn of this latest development.
"If correct, it illustrates once again an understanding of other human beings which is completely unhinged. It underscores that we have to be careful that we are not swallowed by the US. We need the US as a military ally and security partner, but this tells us that we are not seen as a partner. It is stripped of all respect for other people," she said.
Read more at:
8/20/19
Greenland: Trump tweets image of enormous Trump Tower on Greenla
Trump tweets image of enormous Trump Tower on Greenland
Read more at:
8/19/19
Denmark-US Relations: Danish Prime Minister calls discussion of Greenland sale "absurd"
The Danish Prime Minister responded to President Donald Trump's interest in buying Greenland on Sunday, calling a sale of the island, which functions as an autonomous territory of Denmark, "absurd."
According to Reuters, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told the Danish broadcaster DR on Sunday that discussion of a sale would be an "absurd discussion."
Frederiksen was also asked about Trump's comments by a local newspaper.
"Greenland is not for sale. Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland," she said while traveling with Greenlandic Premier Kim Kielsen to visit children from a Greenlandic orphanage, reported Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq.
Read more at: Danish Prime Minister calls discussion of Greenland sale "absurd"
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According to Reuters, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told the Danish broadcaster DR on Sunday that discussion of a sale would be an "absurd discussion."
Frederiksen was also asked about Trump's comments by a local newspaper.
"Greenland is not for sale. Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland," she said while traveling with Greenlandic Premier Kim Kielsen to visit children from a Greenlandic orphanage, reported Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq.
Read more at: Danish Prime Minister calls discussion of Greenland sale "absurd"
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8/16/19
Denmark: Greenland tells Trump: ′We′re not for sale′
Greenland's government on Friday dismissed the idea of being purchased by the United States.
The statement follows reports that US President Donald Trump was interested in buying the territory from Denmark.
What the government said:
A "short comment" on the government website said that:
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The statement follows reports that US President Donald Trump was interested in buying the territory from Denmark.
What the government said:
A "short comment" on the government website said that:
- "We have a good cooperation with the USA, and we see it as an expression of greater interest in investing in our country..."
- "...Of course, Greenland is not for sale,"
- "Because of the unofficial nature of the news, the Government of Greenland has no further comments."
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4/18/16
Fishing Industry: Saving Atlantic and Gulf of Maine salmon will require Greenland's help - by P. Whittle
 |
| Maine, where most of America’s last wild Atlantic salmon spawn |
The salmon were once found from Long Island Sound to Canada, but their population has cratered in the face of river damming, warming ocean waters, competition for food with non-native fish and, officials say, continued Greenlandic fishing.
Now, federal officials have outlined an ambitious plan to try to save the Atlantic salmon that they say will require removing dams, creating fish passages and fostering cooperation with Inuit fishermen some 2,000 miles away from Maine, where most of America’s last wild Atlantic salmon spawn.
“We’ve tried everything possible to negotiate with Greenland to find alternatives to find out how they can lessen impacts on U.S. fish,” said Dan Kircheis, a fisheries biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service.
“This is part of their culture, this is part of who they are, this is something they’ve always done. We are trying to work with them to realize the fish they are fishing for originate in Canada, in U.S. waters, in Europe, and these populations are in decline.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said the final remnants of the wild Atlantic salmon population in U.S. waters live in a handful of rivers and streams in central and eastern Maine.
A 2014 count found less than 300 salmon in the Penobscot River, which has the largest wild Atlantic salmon population in the country.
Federal authorities listed the Gulf of Maine’s Atlantic salmon population as endangered in 2000.
They were once found in almost every river north of the Hudson, but since the 18th century they have declined to just 11 rivers, NOAA has said. The Atlantic salmon and the Pacific Chinook salmon are the largest salmon species.
EU-Digest
11/29/12
Greenland looks to Denmark for rare earth mineral investment
Greenland’s top politician has encouraged Copenhagen to invest in his country ahead of an imminent boom in developing local mineral resources.
Prime Minister Kuupik Kleist made his appeal in the Copenhagen-based Politiken newspaper, saying it would be a shame for Denmark to lose out on investing in the country’s promising mineral industry considering its history and close relationship with Greenland.
Kleist wrote, “The alliance between Denmark and Greenland has been incredibly beneficial for both. Isn’t it about time that we, after 300 years of history openly declare the love and mutual esteem we have for one another?”
Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt has since responded positively. She told Politiken, “If the Self-Rule administration wants to strengthen the co-operation between Denmark and Greenland in the resources field, the government is naturally open to discuss it.”
The news comes following in-depth negotiations between Nuuk and Chinese investors, who pledged DKK 12 billion (EUR 1.6 billion) toward developing the Greenland’s mineral industry.
Greenland is thought to contain one of the planet’s largest deposits of valuable rare earth minerals outside of China. Rare earth minerals are a key ingredient in the production of electronics and numerous other consumer goods.
Read more: Greenland looks to Denmark for mineral investment | IceNews - Daily News
Prime Minister Kuupik Kleist made his appeal in the Copenhagen-based Politiken newspaper, saying it would be a shame for Denmark to lose out on investing in the country’s promising mineral industry considering its history and close relationship with Greenland.
Kleist wrote, “The alliance between Denmark and Greenland has been incredibly beneficial for both. Isn’t it about time that we, after 300 years of history openly declare the love and mutual esteem we have for one another?”
Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt has since responded positively. She told Politiken, “If the Self-Rule administration wants to strengthen the co-operation between Denmark and Greenland in the resources field, the government is naturally open to discuss it.”
The news comes following in-depth negotiations between Nuuk and Chinese investors, who pledged DKK 12 billion (EUR 1.6 billion) toward developing the Greenland’s mineral industry.
Greenland is thought to contain one of the planet’s largest deposits of valuable rare earth minerals outside of China. Rare earth minerals are a key ingredient in the production of electronics and numerous other consumer goods.
Read more: Greenland looks to Denmark for mineral investment | IceNews - Daily News
8/20/12
Europe looks to open up Greenland for natural resources extraction - by Fiona Harvey
Europe is looking to open a new frontier in the ever more urgent quest for new natural resources – the pristine icy wastes of Greenland.
Oil and gas have been the focus of exploitation so far – but the EU sees just as much potential in a massive opening up of mining operations across the world's biggest island, according to Antonio Tajani, the European commission's vice-president and one of the most powerful politicians in the union. He called the move "raw material diplomacy".
Latest satellite data reveal that 97% of the surface of the Greenland ice sheet underwent surface melting over four exceptionally warm days in July, indicating natural resources will become more available for extraction in the coming decades.
Greenland – with strong historical ties to the EU through Denmark, though the island now has home rule – represents a vast and largely untapped resource. Drilling for oil in Greenland's waters is now at the exploratory stage, having been impractical until recent advances in deep sea drilling. Mining has also been all but impossible across most of the country, which is covered in a 150m thick sheet of ice except for a few coastal strips, but melting ice and new techniques are likely to bring more of the region's potential mineral resources within reach in the coming years.
But Europe may face competition. China is already ahead; one of the most advanced metals mining projects in Greenland is nominally owned by London Mining, a UK company, but most of the finance and direction comes from China. Other countries are also eyeing the prize – although Greenland's historical ties are mainly with Europe, it is geographically close to the US and Canada.
Read more: Europe looks to open up Greenland for natural resources extraction | Environment | guardian.co.uk
Oil and gas have been the focus of exploitation so far – but the EU sees just as much potential in a massive opening up of mining operations across the world's biggest island, according to Antonio Tajani, the European commission's vice-president and one of the most powerful politicians in the union. He called the move "raw material diplomacy".
Latest satellite data reveal that 97% of the surface of the Greenland ice sheet underwent surface melting over four exceptionally warm days in July, indicating natural resources will become more available for extraction in the coming decades.
Greenland – with strong historical ties to the EU through Denmark, though the island now has home rule – represents a vast and largely untapped resource. Drilling for oil in Greenland's waters is now at the exploratory stage, having been impractical until recent advances in deep sea drilling. Mining has also been all but impossible across most of the country, which is covered in a 150m thick sheet of ice except for a few coastal strips, but melting ice and new techniques are likely to bring more of the region's potential mineral resources within reach in the coming years.
But Europe may face competition. China is already ahead; one of the most advanced metals mining projects in Greenland is nominally owned by London Mining, a UK company, but most of the finance and direction comes from China. Other countries are also eyeing the prize – although Greenland's historical ties are mainly with Europe, it is geographically close to the US and Canada.
Read more: Europe looks to open up Greenland for natural resources extraction | Environment | guardian.co.uk
11/25/08
Bloomberg.com: Greenlanders Vote on Autonomy as Slump Clouds Independence Plan - by Christian Wienberg
For the complete report by Bloomberg.com click on this link
Greenlanders Vote on Autonomy as Slump Clouds Independence Plan - by Christian Wienberg
Greenlanders vote today on a proposal to wrest more autonomy from Denmark, an effort at increasing control over their natural resources that may founder in the face of the global economic slump. The referendum, which polls show is likely to be approved, would give the 56,000 mainly native Inuit citizens of Greenland full control over deciding whether they want to secede from Denmark. Currently, the government in Copenhagen would have to approve such a move. It would also for the first time mandate a division of income from natural resources with Denmark, which has ruled the territory since the 18th century.“The prospects that Greenland will become a natural resource-based economy certainly haven’t improved,” said Lars- Emil Johansen, former premier of Greenland, and one of the lawmakers who drafted the bill that’s up for vote. Greenland is also rich in diamonds, iron ore, lead, zinc and uranium. Greenland entered the then European Community -- now the European Union -- with Denmark in 1973. It quit the bloc in 1985 in a dispute over fishing quotas, making it the only region to ever withdraw from the EU, which now has 27 members. Passage of today’s referendum would presage a vote on full independence, government officials and trade union leaders say.
Premier Hans Enoksen has said Greenland may hold a referendum on full independence by 2020, while SIK, Greenland’s biggest labor union, has said it wants a vote in 2012.
1/12/08
Hemscott: Greenland to vote on wider autonomy from Denmark
For the complete report from Hemscott click on this link
Greenland to vote on wider autonomy from Denmark
Greenland will hold a referendum on wider autonomy later this year, a first step towards independence from Denmark, the head of the local government Hans Enoksen said on Thursday. 'The referendum will take place on November 25,' the Greenland leader told AFP following talks in Copenhagen with Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen. In the event of 'yes' vote, the broadened autonomy would take effect on June 21, 2009, Enoksen said.
Greenland, which has been a semi-autonomous Danish territory since 1979, would take over control of new unspecified policy areas which are currently decided by Copenhagen. Foreign policy, defence, police and judicial affairs are presently decided by the Danish capital. Broader autonomy would 'constitute the first step toward full independence which is very important to us but which still appears to be a long way off,' Enoksen said. Greenland is closely tied to Europe, specifically Iceland, Norway, and Denmark. In 1978, Denmark granted home rule to Greenland, making it an equal member of the Rigsfællesskab. Greenland is the world's largest island by area (as Australia is considered a continent rather than an island). Greenland has a population of 57,100 (2005),[16] of whom 88% are Inuit or mixed Danish and Inuit. The remaining 12 % are of European extraction, mainly Danish. The majority of the population is Evangelical Lutheran. Nearly all Greenlanders live along the fjords in the south-west of the main island, which has a relatively mild climate. Greenland today is critically dependent on fishing and fish exports; the shrimp fishing industry is by far the largest income earner. Despite resumption of several interesting hydrocarbon and mineral exploration activities, it will take several years before production can materialize. The state oil company NUNAOIL was created in order to help develop the hydrocarbon industry in Greenland. Tourism is the only sector offering any near-term potential and even this is limited due to a short season and high costs. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in Greenland's economy. About half the government revenues come from grants from the Danish Government, an important supplement to the gross domestic product (GDP). Gross domestic product per capita is equivalent to that of the weaker economies of Europe. The major airport is Kangerlussuaq Airport on the West coast at Kangerlussuaq. Intercontinental flights connect mainly to Copenhagen. As of May 2007, Air Greenland has also initiated a seasonal route to and from Baltimore in the United States.
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