Greenland: Hotspot for climate change and tourism

This the world’s largest and loneliest island has just became more accessible, thanks to Air Greenland’s recent launch of first-ever commercial flights from the USA (a five-hour, two-time-zone jaunt from Baltimore). Well if the Greenlandic silence beckons you, get set for an amazing trip.

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Llulissat, a fishing town in GReenland

In this ragged edge of the world where community trumps individuality, nature’s increasingly unpredictable rhythms rule. Scientists say average winter temperatures on Greenland’s west coast have increased about 9 degrees Fahrenheit over the past 15 years, making it one of the fastest-warming places on the planet.
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Brightly painted buildings at the west coast of Llulissat

Ilulissat the country’s biggest tourist draw and third-largest town, home to 5,000 people and an equal number of sled dog. Illulisat’s glacier is moving all year round now, so the locals have to go somewhere else to fish. The period for sledding is also getting shorter.

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Greenland’s Russell glacier

In a land where doctors in the sparsely populated north still reach patients with dogsled ambulances padded with reindeer skins, dog bites are common. Purebred Greenlandic sled dogs, chained outdoors and fed with seal or halibut, are more wolflike than canine and can be shot if they run loose after they’re 6 months old.

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Purebred Greenlandic sled dogs, Image credit: Bob Strong

Though the country’s rising temperatures may draw more tourists but also new industries, from oil drilling to mining. More cars and industries mean more money but definitely more pollution. I only hope this pristine land of the Arctic does not get seduced by commercial industry rather maintains its propound Greenlandic silence.

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Disko bay in midnight sun

Image credits: Laura Bly

Source: USA Today

Tags: Greenland, global warming, Llulissat, Greenlandic silence