Why Greenland?
How The Future Depends on this Island of Ice
Most people don’t realize it, but the fate of our planet may hinge on one massive, ice-covered island—Greenland. More than just an expanse of tundra, Greenland holds a key role in climate stability, geopolitics, and the next phase of the global economy. Whether we acknowledge it or not, Greenland’s future is inextricably tied to our own.
The Melting of Greenland’s Ice Sheet: A Climate Time Bomb?
Greenland’s ice sheet contains roughly 8% of the world’s freshwater. It’s melting at an accelerating rate due to climate change, and the consequences of that melting will be global. If Greenland’s ice were to disappear completely, it would raise sea levels by over 7 meters (23 feet)—a catastrophic scenario that would submerge entire coastal cities from New York to Shanghai.
The good news is that full ice sheet loss isn’t likely in our immediate future. The bad news is that even very small amounts of melting of the Greenland ice sheets cause weather disruptions worldwide. The “hydrosphere” – the water in the atmosphere – controls much of the climate. As atmospheric water increases, it fuels extreme weather events like hurricanes in New York, flooding in Spain and North Carolina, and stronger monsoons in Asia.
One of the most alarming threats tied to Greenland is its effect on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)—the ocean current system responsible for regulating global climate. A weakened AMOC means harsher winters in Europe, more intense hurricanes in the U.S., and monsoon disruptions across Asia. In short, Greenland’s ice controls more than just sea levels—it determines the climate stability of entire regions.
The $70 Billion Underground Treasure Trove
Beyond its ice, Greenland is one of the most resource-rich places on Earth. Beneath the frozen surface lies an abundance of minerals essential for modern technology:
Rare earth elements – Essential for electronics, renewable energy, and electric vehicle batteries.
Uranium – Critical for nuclear energy production.
Gold, diamonds, and platinum – Valuable commodities with global demand.
Oil and natural gas – Fossil fuel reserves still being assessed for extraction.
A 2023 survey found that Greenland holds 25 out of the 34 minerals deemed "critical raw materials" by the European Commission. That includes lithium, niobium, hafnium, and zirconium—minerals necessary for the green energy transition. The total estimated value? A staggering $70 billion.
But unlocking these resources won’t be easy. Greenland’s harsh conditions and lack of infrastructure coupled with the fact that Denmark currently controls its governance, mean that large-scale mining operations face significant hurdles.
Geopolitical Chess: Who Wants to Own Greenland?
For decades, China and the United States have eyed Greenland as a strategic prize. As far back as 1946, President Harry Truman attempted to buy Greenland outright from Denmark. He was unsuccessful, but the U.S. hasn’t given up on its interest in the island’s resources and military positioning.
Greenland is more than a treasure chest of minerals—it’s a key military outpost in the Arctic. It’s home to Thule Air Base, a crucial U.S. military installation that provides missile warning systems and strategic defense capabilities. In a world of increasing U.S.-China tensions, Greenland’s importance will only grow.
However, there’s a crucial third party in this debate: the Greenlandic people. Most of Greenland’s 56,000 residents are Indigenous Inuit, and their voices are shaping the future of the island. Many oppose large-scale mining and fossil fuel extraction, advocating instead for an environmentally and culturally sensitive approach to Greenland’s economic development.
If any country—whether it be the U.S., Denmark, or China—wants control over Greenland’s resources, it will need the consent of its people.
The Future of Greenland Is Our Collective Future
As ice sheets melt and global competition for resources intensifies, the future of Greenland will shape the future of our planet.
From a climate standpoint, Greenland’s ice could be a ticking time bomb that has the potential to dictate sea levels, storm patterns, and weather systems worldwide.
From an economic standpoint, it could ironically hold the key to the green industrial revolution, housing minerals critical for renewable energy, batteries, and high-tech industries.
From a geopolitical standpoint, it’s a hotly contested territory caught between U.S. and Chinese interests, with Denmark and Greenland’s Indigenous population at the center of the debate.
So, what do we do?
The answer is not to see Greenland as just a "COSTCO" of raw materials but rather to recognize it as a land that is both sacred and pivotal to our future. Whatever its fate, Greenland must be stewarded with care.
The choices made in the next few decades will determine whether Greenland becomes an exploited, resource-drained landscape or a model for regenerative Arctic development. While “regenerative Arctic development” may sound weird – scary even – we must come to terms that humans are going into the Arctic with gusto. The question isn’t if we will develop there, but rather how. Will we do it consciously with future generations in mind, or will be pillage it?
The fate of the world, quite literally, depends on Greenland. It’s time we start designing the future we want to see both for the Arctic and for the rest of the world. Let’s create a regenerative future where humans work in concert with nature to rebuild and restore ecosystems, while simultaneously building economies and communities that will stand the test of time.