MGIS: Greenland Impacts (AOS_2)

Question 1

positive environment impact in Greenland

Answer 1

• Warmer weather may see more greening of Greenland resulting in more farming (increased plant growth by up 25%)
  
  • Warmer temperature has created a longer grass growing season to boost productivity for some 60 sheep farms
  • Dairy cattle have recently been reintroduced
  • Locally grown potatoes/broccoli/radish
• Some fish species are moving north into Greenland’s waters which could increase catch

Question 2

negative environment impacts in Greenland

Answer 2

• Permafrost will melt and release previously locked up stores of methane gas (adding to global warming)
  
  • Longer melt season increases access for boats to fish creating concern that there will be overfishing resulting in decrease numbers of fish
  • Melting dumps fresh water into the ocean
  • Reindeer herding will be affected (warming climate alters access to food sources, breeding grounds and historic migration routes)
• As it melts, old impurities such as soot and dust start to darken the surface, resulting in more heat being absorbed, accelerating melting (creating a dramatic feedback loop)

Question 3

positive economic impacts in Greenland

Answer 3

• Greater access to Greenland’s mineral and energy resources (iron, gold, diamonds, oil)
  
  • Tourism in fishing and hiking can be extended
  • Money from mining may reduce the dependence on Denmark (Denmark contributes $620m to Greenland’s economy)
  • Easier to go after 48 billion barrels of oil reserve off the coast
• Reduced sea ice will allow for increased shipping access

Question 4

negative economic impacts in Greenland

Answer 4

• Mining could cause greater environmental degradation
  
  • Oil drilling may result in oil spills
  • Increased number of tourist could degrade the environment
  • Mining companies foreign owned (e.g. Australian Greenland Minerals and Energy = not all economic benefits stay in Greenland)
• Closure of some fish processing plants due to decline in catch (90% of Greenland’s export income from fishing)

Question 5

positive social impacts in Greenland

Answer 5

• Mining companies will provide employment
  
  • Increase in tourism opportunities
  • Construction industry expected to get a boost due to mining
• Some communities changing hunting practices

Question 6

negative social impacts in Greenland

Answer 6

• Fear mining will destroy traditional way of life of Inuit
  
  • Conflict over new development causing division in communities
  • Melting will dislocate those who live on the coastal fringe
  • Traditional travel via dog sled in winter has declined due to ice changes
• High levels of poverty and unemployment