Why Iceland is Greeny?

Greenland: The Icy Giant at the Center of a Warming World

Why Iceland is Greeny?

        Far beyond the reach of most people’s daily thoughts lies Greenland, a vast and remote Arctic island that is quietly becoming one of the most geopolitically, environmentally, and economically important places on Earth. Though it’s part of the Kingdom of Denmark and home to fewer people than a small European microstate, Greenland’s immense landmass, strategic location, and untapped wealth have made it the subject of increasing global attention.

A Vast and Frozen Land

        Greenland is the largest island in the world, more than three times the size of France. With a population of only 56,000, it's one of the most sparsely populated places on Earth. Roughly one-third of the population resides in Nuuk, the capital, while the rest is spread across coastal settlements. Almost no one lives inland and for good reason: roughly 80% of the island is covered by an enormous ice sheet, rendering it largely uninhabitable.

        This ice sheet is second in size only to Antarctica's and contains an estimated 2.85 quadrillion metric tons of ice enough to raise global sea levels by approximately 7 meters if it were to melt entirely. At an average thickness of 1.5 kilometers, with some areas reaching up to 3 kilometers, the ice has physically compressed the bedrock beneath it, pushing much of the island’s interior below sea level.

A Climate on the Edge

Why Iceland is Greeny?

        Despite being mostly above the Arctic Circle, Greenland’s climate is milder than one might expect, thanks to the Gulf Stream, which brings warm Atlantic waters northward. For instance, Nuuk's winter temperatures average around -9°C, while similar latitudes in Canada's Arctic often plunge to -27°C.

        Still, warming is occurring at a dramatic pace. The Arctic is heating twice as fast as the global average, and Greenland is losing roughly 200 billion metric tons of ice per year a rate that has doubled since the early 2000s. If this trend continues, scientists warn that the entire ice sheet could vanish within a few centuries, with catastrophic consequences for coastal cities and populations worldwide.

Uncovering the Hidden Greenland

        As the ice melts, it's beginning to reveal secrets frozen for millennia. In 1966, ice cores revealed that Greenland may have been ice-free and vegetated within the last million years a recent development, geologically speaking. In 2013, NASA scientists discovered a 750-kilometer-long mega-canyon hidden beneath the ice the longest canyon on Earth, likely carved by an ancient river system millions of years ago.

        There are also artifacts of more recent history buried beneath the ice. A WWII-era American fighter plane, lost in 1942, was recovered 50 years later from 80 meters of accumulated snow and ice. And more concerningly, in 1968, a U.S. bomber carrying nuclear weapons crashed in Greenland, with most parts recovered except a nuclear fuel component still believed to be lost under the ice.

A New Frontier for Global Resources

        Perhaps the greatest transformation Greenland faces lies beneath its surface. As the ice recedes, it is revealing what could be one of the most resource-rich regions on Earth.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Greenland may hold:

• 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil

• 30% of its undiscovered natural gas

• Massive deposits of rare earth elements (REEs)

Of particular importance is the K vane field deposit near the small town of Narsaq, home to just 1,700 people. It may hold:

• 11 million tons of rare earth oxides

• One of the world’s largest uranium reserves

        This would make Greenland the second-largest source of REEs after China a critical advantage, given that China currently controls over 85% of the global supply. These elements are vital for modern technologies including smartphones, electric vehicles, military hardware, and renewable energy systems.

Geopolitical Power Plays

Why Iceland is Greeny?

        This strategic potential has drawn global attention. In 2019, the Trump administration floated the idea of purchasing Greenland from Denmark a proposal that was flatly rejected. Yet, American interest has persisted, particularly in preventing Chinese investments in Greenland’s infrastructure and mining sectors. Denmark, which still controls Greenland’s foreign policy, has blocked Chinese bids for airports and naval bases under U.S. pressure.

        Meanwhile, the melting Arctic is opening new trade routes, such as the Northern Sea Route through Russian waters. This route could soon rival the Suez Canal in importance, significantly reducing shipping times between Asia and the West. Greenland's geostrategic location along this route only amplifies its future global importance.

Independence or Interference?

        Within Greenland, opinions are sharply divided. Some see the extraction of natural resources as a path to economic independence from Denmark, which still provides over 60% of Greenland’s government budget through subsidies. Others fear the environmental degradation and cultural disruption that may come with mining and foreign corporate influence, especially on traditional Inuit ways of life.

Challenges Remain

Why Iceland is Greeny?

        Despite its wealth of natural resources, Greenland remains incredibly dependent on imports, especially for food. Only 0.002% of its land is arable, meaning nearly all food is shipped in raising costs and complicating logistics for the island's remote communities.

A Glimpse Into the Future

        Greenland stands at a crossroads. Climate change is reshaping it faster than almost anywhere else on Earth, and the world’s largest powers are taking notice. As the ice melts, Greenland is not only revealing its ancient past it is offering a glimpse into the geopolitical and environmental future of our planet.

        Whether it becomes a center for global trade, a critical supplier of the rare elements that power our lives, or a cautionary tale of unchecked warming, one thing is certain,

"Greenland will not remain hidden under ice for much longer"