Greenland will not be on the market, by Philippe Descamps (Le Monde diplomatique

Greenland’s indigenous Inuit folks haven’t forgotten that they subsisted for hundreds of years in excessive circumstances, regardless that they now lead trendy lives. Nuuk, its capital, has a inhabitants of solely 19,000 but it has a wealthy cultural life, with theatre, cinema, golf equipment, public artwork, museums, and music and movie festivals. After I visited, the rock group Zikaza have been taking part in on the FoyerKoncert cultural centre; the viewers, from teenagers to folks of their 50s, sang alongside. (Lead vocalist Siiva Fleischer based the group in Aarhus, Denmark’s second metropolis, however returned to Greenland 15 years in the past.)

A typical perception that if Greenland’s ice sheet melted, its considerable mineral wealth could be simple to use was behind Donald Trump’s provide to purchase the island from Denmark in 2019. Denmark rejected the bid, because it had earlier US bids in 1867, 1910 and 1946. Greenland will not be on the market, and its inhabitants totally intend to resolve their very own future. The newest survey signifies that greater than two thirds of them need independence from Denmark, a proportion that’s rising.

The 2 events that received probably the most seats within the April 2021 normal election — Inuit Ataqatigiit (democratic socialist/environmentalist) and Siumut (social democratic) — each need independence. Sara Olsvig, former chief of Inuit Ataqatigiit and now chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (1), defined: ‘Opinions range as to what type of independence from Denmark — or union with it — is finest, however there’s widespread strain for Greenland to be allowed to resolve its personal future. Above all, the indigenous peoples wish to be recognised as equal to everybody else. Should you have a look at the historical past of Kalaallit Nunaat [the Inuit name for Greenland] and of the Inuit throughout the Arctic, it’s clear they wanted to be extremely autonomous to outlive on this atmosphere. That’s a sort of self-determination too.’

Since 1953, when Greenland ceased to be a colony and have become a province of Denmark, its folks have step by step emancipated themselves by referendums, voting for residence rule in 1979; to go away the European Financial Neighborhood in 1982; and for expanded residence rule, management of their very own pure assets and the best to declare independence in 2008 (a legislation confirming this proper got here into pressure in 2009). Denmark’s excessive commissioner for Greenland, Julie Præst Wilche, says the Danish authorities recognises the likelihood that Greenland will in the future turn out to be unbiased, however thinks that is unlikely to occur within the close to future and is ‘not actively getting ready for it in any method’.

‘Who is really unbiased?’

I requested Siumut get together secretary Ole Aggo Markussen if he had a goal date for independence. He replied, ‘The actual query is, who on the earth in the present day is really unbiased? The idea of the nation state because it was outlined when Greenland stopped being a colony could be nonsense in the present day. Even France relies on the EU. Our union with Denmark is sort of a compelled marriage: the spouse has needed a divorce for 45 years; the husband says she’s free to go away, however he’ll maintain all the cash. A big a part of our price chain is exterior Greenland: the fish we catch listed here are processed in Denmark, for instance.’

Below an settlement renewed in 2009, the Danish authorities provides Greenland an annual block grant which totalled 3.9bn kroner (round $560m) in 2022, equal to roughly 19% of Greenland’s GDP (2). In response to Wilche, there are not any plans to alter this. Greenland additionally receives EU help for fisheries and training. ‘It’s good for us within the quick time period, but it surely’s not conducive to independence,’ mentioned Jess G Berthelsen, chairman of SIK, Greenland’s largest commerce union physique. ‘If we would like independence, we have now to earn cash on our personal, and we’re a good distance from doing that.’

The UN Basic Meeting says ‘entry to a clear, wholesome and sustainable atmosphere is a common human proper.’ The Inuit have been saying that for many years

Sara Olsvig

The primary main drawback is the discrepancy between Greenland’s measurement and its inhabitants. The island has an space of two.1 million sq. kilometres, half the scale of the EU and 50 occasions that of Denmark; however for 30 years its inhabitants has averaged simply 56,000, lower than 1% of the scale of Denmark’s. (Some 90% are indigenous or of combined origin.) Round 81% of the nation is roofed by an ice sheet as much as 3km thick in locations.

The communities dotted alongside the coast, typically far aside, are like an archipelago (see map), with no railways or roads to hyperlink them. Greenland’s northernmost city, Qaanaaq (inhabitants 700) is 600km from its nearest neighbour and 1,600km from Nuuk; Tasiilaq (inhabitants 2,200), in southeast Greenland, can be 600km from its nearest neighbour. To make sure primary companies and a daily provide of provisions, each neighborhood wants its personal energy station, water provide, port and airport. Up to now, the Danish authorities generally compelled complete populations to relocate.

Nuuk, surrounded by water and mountains which might be snow-covered for many of the 12 months, is a small neighborhood, however not like most different cities and villages in Greenland it has nice vitality. Brightly painted condominium blocks (like Scandinavian homes) are arising all over the place, and the flats typically promote out even earlier than building is accomplished.

Airport growth works

For the final 12 months, life in Nuuk has been disrupted by airport growth works. Till now the runway has solely been lengthy sufficient for brief take-off and touchdown (STOL) plane, primarily Sprint 8-200 turboprop planes that carry simply 37 passengers. Tens of millions of cubic metres of rock are being crushed close to the foot of the ski lifts that overlook the city and used to double the size of the runway to accommodate jets.

Greenland presently has solely two lengthy runways, constructed by the US military throughout the second world struggle, at Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq, removed from all populated areas. Other than those that come by Sprint 8-200 from Iceland, all worldwide passengers in the present day fly in from Copenhagen and arrive at one among these two airports, earlier than travelling on to their ultimate vacation spot by helicopter or small aircraft. There are not any direct business flights to North America: a younger Inuit lady from Canada advised me her 800-km journey from Iqaluit to Nuuk, had concerned six completely different flights.

Sea and air transport are on the mercy of Greenland’s harsh local weather. Although international warming has lowered the extent of the Arctic pack ice, it stays an impediment to transport for a part of the 12 months. Furthermore, the Atlantic coast is affected by the chilly East Greenland Present, carrying pack ice and icebergs that may block any fjord in hours. Plane are sometimes grounded by sudden storms, inflicting cancellations and delays.

In 2015 Greenland’s parliament authorised three new 2,200-metre runways — at Nuuk, Ilulissat (Greenland’s principal vacationer vacation spot, on Unesco-listed Disko Bay, famed for its icebergs) and Qaqortoq within the south (changing the lengthy runway at Narsarsuaq, which can shut in 2025). Greenland’s authorities initially approached China for assist with funding as a part of its Polar Silk Highway mission.

Taking part in on US worry of China

‘In 2016 the Chinese language had provided to purchase the previous US naval base at Grønnedal (or Kangilinnguit), which was established throughout the [second world] struggle to guard the Ivittuut cryolite mine close by and run by the Danes from 1951 till it closed in 2012,’ mentioned Rasmus Leander Nielsen of the College of Greenland (Ilisimatusarfik). ‘The US advised Denmark it couldn’t permit the Chinese language to purchase the bottom. An analogous factor occurred with the airport. Washington vetoed it and Copenhagen needed to discover various funding. When the US opened a consulate in Nuuk, it wasn’t simply to assist Greenland, but additionally to maintain China out.’

Below an settlement signed in September 2018, Denmark is to make fairness contributions overlaying a 3rd of the $537m value in return for a stake of simply over 33.3% within the firm set as much as construct and function the three airports, and supply a $64m convertible mortgage in addition to mortgage ensures value one other $64m.

Greenland has cleverly performed on the US’s worry of China. ‘Denmark was a founding member of NATO in 1949. Being a small nation, it’s strongly Atlanticist by alternative,’ mentioned Olsvig. ‘Greenland is Atlanticist out of necessity, as a result of it may possibly’t do something about its geographical or geopolitical place. However in consequence it has leverage it may possibly use in any negotiation with the US.’

When the Nazis occupied Denmark in 1940, the US authorities negotiated with the Danish ambassador to Washington for permission to web site air bases and radar stations in Greenland. After the struggle, some bases have been deserted, whereas others turned civilian airports. The Thule base, within the northwest, was expanded in 1953. Equidistant from New York and Moscow, it performed a strategic function throughout the chilly struggle and stays key to the US’s area surveillance community and anti-missile defences. Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command, headquartered in Nuuk with a workers of simply over 30, has a number of boats and helicopters, and a few small native items such because the 5 males guarding the Station Nord army outpost and scientific station. Denmark has no heavy icebreakers to assist assert its maritime sovereignty (3).

Our union with Denmark is sort of a compelled marriage: the spouse has needed a divorce for 45 years; the husband says she’s free to go away, however he’ll maintain all the cash. A big a part of our price chain is exterior Greenland: the fish we catch listed here are processed in Denmark

Ole Aggo Markussen

Greenland’s forex, police, defence and international relations are all managed by Denmark, however Nuuk desires an even bigger function in international coverage decision-making. Greenland is already represented on the Arctic Council; as a constituent nation of the Kingdom of Denmark, it chairs the Danish delegation in two working teams. Greenland’s international minister Vivian Motzfeldt helps the sanctions towards Russia, however advised me, ‘We should have the ability to speak sooner or later. Russia will not be going to vanish. And we have now many pals there.’

A survey by the College of Greenland signifies Greenlanders are usually pacifist: 68% help cooperation with current allies, however 81% disagree with US coverage on China. Most see China’s rising worldwide affect as a optimistic factor, and are eager to keep up good financial relations (4). They’re additionally towards becoming a member of the EU. Olsvig mentioned, ‘We see the impression of sanctions on Russia, which is a vital marketplace for us. If the identical factor occurred within the Asian market, the results for Greenland could be extreme. Staying near our allies whereas guaranteeing we have now entry to markets world wide is a continuing balancing act.’ He added that ‘paradoxically, the US isn’t a giant marketplace for our merchandise, which largely come from the ocean.’

Olsvig emphasised the impression of local weather disruption, which is way worse within the Arctic than elsewhere: ‘We have to adapt, as a result of it’s coming. Let’s be clear: from the Inuit standpoint, there’s nothing optimistic about local weather change. On 28 July final 12 months the UN Basic Meeting declared that “entry to a clear, wholesome and sustainable atmosphere is a common human proper.” The Inuit have been saying that for many years.’

Deglaciation is attracting increasingly more consideration and a rising variety of worldwide research: if the ice sheet melts, international sea degree might rise by greater than seven metres. Will probably be a world risk over the following few centuries, however the native results are already a priority. World warming is a risk to looking (because the extent of the pack ice diminishes) and fisheries (as ocean currents shift, affecting fish actions). It has helped to revive agriculture in southern Greenland to some extent, however hotter temperatures have been accompanied by droughts.

‘A deliberate economic system presents stability’

From fisheries to airports, the state performs a key function, both by public companies or non-public enterprises by which the state has a controlling curiosity. ‘That is in all probability one of many world’s most socialist international locations,’ mentioned Christian Keldsen, director of the Greenland Enterprise Affiliation. That’s not all unhealthy: ‘A deliberate economic system like ours presents nice stability. Most international financial crises, just like the one in 2008, have handed us by. Alternatively, competitors isn’t actually honest if you’re up towards state-owned enterprises in each sector. And since Denmark doesn’t ask for something in return for the help it provides us, we’re not used to serious about the return on funding that international firms demand.’

Being underneath Denmark’s guardianship implies that Greenland will get not solely mortgage ensures but additionally the Nordic financial and social mannequin. ‘You received’t discover anybody right here who’s towards independence, so long as it doesn’t have an effect on what we have now,’ Keldsen mentioned. ‘We wish to defend our society and the welfare state, and keep open to the world. We like our healthcare and training methods, and having free entry to many companies. However we don’t see any signal that the brand new authorities goes tomake us extra unbiased financially.’

Below the 2009 settlement, revenues from mineral useful resource actions will step by step exchange the Danish block grant. From the ultimate season of the Danish political drama Borgen to estimates by the US Geological Survey, there was a lot fantasising over Greenland’s mineral and hydrocarbon assets, and its hydroelectric potential. The cruel circumstances and big preliminary funding required are usually performed down. Greenland’s solely two working mines — Aappaluttoq (rubies and sapphires) and White Mountain (anorthosite, which incorporates materials utilized in glass fibre and coatings) — are barely worthwhile. US aluminium big Alcoa spent 20 years conducting feasibility research for a smelting works close to Maniitsoq, however finally selected to construct it in Iceland as a substitute. The Nanortalik ‘gold belt’ as soon as attracted nice curiosity, however the Nalunaq mine solely operated from 2004 to 2013 (although the rising value of gold might permit it to reopen within the subsequent two years). A brand new titanium mine might additionally open in Greenland’s north.

Fishing will not be sufficient

‘It’s all occurring, however folks want to know that it takes time,’mentioned Jørgen Hammeken-Holm, deputy minister for pure assets. ‘It’s the identical wherever on the earth: just one in each hundred or 2 hundred mining initiatives shall be profitable. Greenland doesn’t have 100, but it surely’s vital to search out another income moreover fishing, which is underneath risk. The federal government doesn’t have the means to speculate on this high-risk sector. That’s why we’re making each effort to encourage international firms to return right here.’

One other impediment to exploiting Greenland’s pure assets is public opinion. Greenlanders bear in mind specifically the compelled relocation in 1972 of the 1,200 inhabitants of Qullissat after the native coal mine closed in 1968. The accident by which a US B-52 Stratofortress carrying 4 nuclear bombs crashed close to the Thule air base in 1968 and the publicity to radiation of those that took half within the cleanup operation additionally had a big effect. The Inuit Ataqatigiit get together has blocked the mining of any ore containing greater than 0.1% uranium. Below its 2021 coalition settlement with Siumut, solely a referendum can reverse this choice, which halted Australian-Chinese language plans to mine what is assumed be one of many world’s largest deposits of uncommon earth metals, at Kuannersuit close to the southern city of Narsaq. The brand new authorities has additionally banned all new exploration for hydrocarbons with a purpose to defend the atmosphere, fisheries and tourism.

These choices baffle the SIK union’s Berthelsen: ‘Folks need independence, however they don’t need earnings from another supply than fishing. They assume pennies are going to rain from heaven. They need automobiles and telephones and computer systems, however they don’t need anybody to dig up the minerals wanted to make them.’ Nonetheless, Canadian firms Neo Efficiency Supplies and Hudson Assets say they may quickly start mining uncommon earth metals at Sarfartoq and that there isn’t any threat it is going to unearth any uranium. Geologist Laurent Geoffroy says, ‘Greenland’s underground wealth is a truth and exploiting it might make whole financial independence a risk,’ however he warns that ‘most Greenlanders don’t have the best expertise for the sort of jobs that may be created by the exploitation of mineral or hydrocarbon assets, so if the plan is to herald 1000’s of international miners, the nation must be ready.’

As issues stand, it’s doubtless that Greenland will solely attain political sovereignty if it permits its economic system to rely on international traders and accepts ecologically unequal trade. Its leaders, as champions of the indigenous trigger, have been mandated to discover a resolution that’s appropriate with the Greenlandic custom of closeness to nature, even when meaning remaining underneath Danish rule just a little longer.