Greenland

Greenland

Greenland is the largest island in the world and is located between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada and northwest of Iceland. It has 44,087 km of coastline, along which a sporadic population is confined in small settlements. Greenland has the second largest ice sheet in the world.

Etymology –
The name “Greenland” has an interesting etymology that dates back to the time of the Vikings and Norwegian explorers.
Greenland is a region covered in ice and tundra. However, it wasn’t always as glacial as it appears today. During the Viking Age, around the 10th century, the climate was slightly warmer and Greenland had areas that were more temperate and suitable for human settlement.
The name “Greenland” comes from the Old Norse language, a Scandinavian language spoken by the Vikings. In Old Norse, the name was spelled “Grœnland”, meaning “green land”. It is important to note that the term “green” did not refer to the color of the landscape as we know it today, but rather to the presence of more fertile lands than the surrounding areas.
The choice of the name “Greenland” was a clever marketing move undertaken by Erik the Red, a famous Norwegian explorer who led the first Viking colonization of the region. He named the land “Greenland” to attract settlements and settlers, hoping to increase the number of people willing to settle in that remote region. His strategy worked, and despite the difficult conditions, Greenland became a Viking outpost for a time.
Despite the efforts of the Vikings, the climate gradually cooled, making conditions more difficult for human settlements, and eventually the Viking colony disappeared. However, the name “Greenland” stuck, and today identifies the large island and surrounding region known for its spectacular natural beauty and frozen landscape.

Geographic Features –
Greenland is an autonomous territory belonging to the Kingdom of Denmark, located in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Labrador Sea.
Greenland covers an area of approximately 2,166,086 square kilometers, making it the largest island in the world. However, despite its large extension, its population is relatively small due to the extreme climatic conditions and the inhospitable nature.
Most of the land is covered by an immense sheet of ice, known as the Greenlandic Inlandsis, which is the second largest glacier in the world after Antarctica. This glacier is responsible for the distinctive appearance of the island and its high average altitude.
In addition to the vast glacier, Greenland also has mountain ranges and reliefs along its coasts. Some of the more prominent mountain ranges include the West Greenland Range and the East Greenland Range.
This huge island has a very indented coastline, characterized by numerous fjords and inlets. These fjords form when glaciers retreat and give way to valleys immersed in the ocean.
Greenland has an arctic climate with short, cool summers and very cold winters. Average winter temperatures can drop significantly below freezing, while in summer they rarely exceed 10°C in coastal regions.
Due to the extreme climate and harsh conditions, Greenland is home to relatively limited wildlife. Among the most common animal species are the polar bear, musk ox, arctic lemming and various species of seabirds. The coastal areas are home to some species of algae and mosses, but vegetation is sparse outside the more temperate areas to the south.
Most of Greenland’s inhabitants live along the coast, where the climatic conditions are relatively less severe. The capital of Greenland is Nuuk, located on the southwest coast.
Given its glacial vastness and challenging climatic conditions, much of Greenland remains untouched and inaccessible. The island is a place of great scientific interest for climate change studies and plays a crucial role in global sea level monitoring due to its vast glacier.

Historical Notes –
Greenland is characterized by a history that originates from the first settlements of the native Inuit. Its history therefore has roots that go back thousands of years ago, when the first groups of indigenous Inuit people migrated to the island from the area of present-day Canada. These populations have adapted to life in the Arctic environment, relying on hunting, fishing and gathering activities.
Between the 10th and 11th centuries, Greenland was settled by the Norsemen, the descendants of the Vikings who mainly came from Norway. Erik the Red is often credited with founding the colony, settling in the southwest area of the island, calling it “Greenland” to attract new settlers with the promise of green and fertile lands. This period is known as Greenland’s Norse Age.
Despite the efforts of the Norse settlers, Greenland was not an easily arable area and settlements struggled. In the late 14th century, contact with Norse Greenland disappeared, and historians still debate the exact reasons for the decline. Common hypotheses include climate change, internal conflicts and the loss of links with Europe.
After the Norse period, Greenland remained relatively isolated until the early 18th century, when Danish missionaries and traders re-established contact with the island. Over the next several centuries, Greenland became a Danish and Danish-Norwegian colony.
In 1953, Greenland became a county of the Kingdom of Denmark, but in 1979 it gained the status of an “autonomous region”, with a local parliament and greater political autonomy. The inhabitants of the island are mainly of Inuit and Danish origin.
Greenland has become an important research area for the study of climate change due to the rapid melting of glaciers and the reduction of the ice surface. This has significant global implications on sea level and polar ecosystems.
Greenland’s history is complex and fascinating, with a rich cultural heritage and a unique natural environment. The island continues to be a subject of interest and study for researchers, historians and environmentalists from all over the world.

Ecosystem –
The Greenland ecosystem is a unique and delicate environment characterized by its extreme location and cold climate. Much of the landscape is covered by a huge ice cap, which forms the second largest glacier in the world after that of Antarctica.
Due to the extreme climatic conditions, the variety of plant and animal life is relatively scarce compared to other regions of the planet. However, there are still several distinct habitats that support a range of species adapted to live in these harsh conditions. Some of the key elements of the Greenland ecosystem include:
The ice cap covers about 80% of the island’s surface. This environment is the domain of species adapted to extreme glacial conditions, such as the poles.
Along the coasts of Greenland, there are deep fjords and stretches of sea that provide habitats for various species of seabirds, such as gulls, puffins and arctic coots. The surrounding waters are also rich in fish, attracting species of whales, porpoises and seals.
In areas where the ice retreats during the short summer months, a tundra of moss, grasses and lichens develops. This tundra supports a modest variety of animals such as arctic hares, arctic foxes and some migratory bird species.
In some areas of Greenland, marshes and wetlands are found that serve as habitat for a variety of waterfowl, including ducks, geese and wading birds.
The waters around Greenland are rich in marine life. Among the species that inhabit these waters are arctic cod, arctic salmon, herring, shrimp and various species of shellfish.
Climate change poses a significant threat to Greenland’s ecosystem. Rising global temperatures are causing accelerated melting of the ice sheet, with potentially devastating effects on the habitats and species that depend on it. Reducing sea ice can also adversely affect marine life, causing problems for marine-dependent animal populations. The conservation and protection of this unique ecosystem are of paramount importance to preserve the biodiversity and ecological balance of the region.

Flora –
Greenland has a flora that is influenced by harsh climatic conditions, characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Due to low temperatures and the presence of ice and snow for most of the year, the diversity of flora in Greenland is quite limited compared to more temperate regions.
The predominant vegetation is that of the arctic tundra, characterized by mosses, lichens and small cold-resistant plants. In some coastal areas, grasses and low shrubs can be found. The most common species include arctic willow (Salix arctica), arctic bell-heather (Cassiope tetragona), saxifraga stolonifera, arctic flax (Linum arcticum), blackthorn (Ranunculus hyperboreus), and various moss and lichen species.
Along the coasts and in the milder areas of the south of the island, there may be dwarf trees such as dwarf fir (Picea mariana) and dwarf pine (Pinus Pumila). These trees are adapted to the harsh conditions of the polar environment and grow at a very slow rate.
Greenland is also famous for its vast glaciers and snow cover, which make it difficult for more abundant vegetation to grow and maintain.
However, it is important to note that Greenland’s flora may be subject to change due to global warming and its effects on the environment. With the progressive increase in temperatures, some plants could find more favorable conditions and the distribution of the flora could vary over time.

Wildlife –
Greenland’s fauna consists mainly of species adapted to low temperatures and arctic environments. Some of the main animal species found on the island are listed below:
1. Polar bear (Ursus maritimus): The polar bear is the symbol of the Arctic and represents the top predator of the region. It lives mainly on floating ice and feeds mainly on seals.
2. Arctic Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus): Arctic reindeer are migratory animals that live in the northern regions of the island. They are adapted to extreme climatic conditions and feed on lichens and moss.
3. Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus): The arctic fox is adapted to cold climates and possesses thick fur that allows it to survive harsh winter temperatures.
4. Bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus): Bearded seals are common along the coasts of Greenland. They feed on fish, squid and other marine life.
5. Sei whale (Balaena mysticetus): Sei whales or gray whales are present in the waters around Greenland. They are migratory whales that move between warm and cold waters to feed and reproduce.
6. Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus): Arctic walruses are common along the coasts of the island. They are known for their distinctive appearance with long curved tusks.
7. Seabirds: Greenland is home to many species of seabirds, such as gulls, puffins, guillemots, and common eiders.
8. Arctic Hare (Lepus arcticus): The Arctic Hare is a small mammal that lives in the interior of Greenland and feeds on plants and shrubs.
9. Penguins: Although Greenland is not a typical environment for penguins, some species can occasionally be seen in some areas.
These are just a few examples of the rich wildlife found in Greenland. The island offers a unique environment for these species, and many of them are adapted to survive in such a hostile and fascinating environment.

Environmental Protection Actions –
Greenland is a large territory subjected to sudden climatic changes which also require interventions aimed at minimizing this phenomenon.
In general, efforts are focusing on the following objectives:
1. Natural Resource Management: Greenland is rich in natural resources, such as oil, natural gas, minerals and fresh water. To preserve the environment, Greenland faces a delicate challenge of balancing resource exploitation with environmental conservation.
2. Climate Change: Greenland is one of the regions in the world most affected by climate change. Global warming causes glaciers to retreat and sea levels to rise, with serious repercussions on the environment and local communities.
3. Wildlife Conservation: Greenland is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including some unique and vulnerable species. Protecting natural habitats and promoting species conservation is a priority for the region.
4. Sustainability of the fishing industry: Fishing is a key part of Greenland’s economy. To preserve fish resources in the long term, it is essential to adopt sustainable fishing practices and to manage fisheries responsibly.
5. Developing Renewable Energy: Using renewable energy, such as hydroelectricity and wind power, can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change, as well as reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
6. Community Awareness and Participation: Actively involving local communities and raising their awareness of the importance of environmental conservation can help gain more support for the implementation of environmental protection measures.
It is important to note that Greenland has a high degree of autonomy from the Danish government, as it is a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Therefore, the Government of Greenland plays a crucial role in implementing the environmental protection policies and actions in the territory.

Guido Bissanti