“People from all around the world, politicians and scientists come to Greenland to see the inland ice,” she says. “We are at the centre of this.”
A significant portion of the ice sheet is thought to be on the verge of a tipping point, where melting could soon become unavoidable even if emissions are cut. The ice sheet is hugely important to stabilizing the global climate, as it provides a vast white region that reflects sunlight back into space. But as the ice melts, the reflective surface shrinks, leading to more warming and melting and in turn, sea level rise. Scientists say sea level rises of one to two metres is probably already inevitable.
Frederiksen knows that the melting ice sheet will have negative impacts on communities across Greenland, especially in northern settlements such as Qaanaaq where permafrost melting is destabilizing homes and roads and impacting how fishers and hunters operate.
But her real concern lies on the impact it will have globally. “I am not so scared of what the effects of the melting of ice in Greenland will be,” Frederiksen says, “It scares me what effect it can have for the rest of the world.”
Latest News
Outdoor Leader Programme
On the weekend of 1st - 2nd October the UWC RCN Outdoor Leader Programme had its second overnight trip. After packing and loading canoes on the trailer on Saturday morning we left for the river to [...]
International Matbord at RCN
The Høegh was buzzing with activity on Saturday as members of the local and RCN communities brought dishes from their countries to share in the 2nd International 'Matbord'. The central table boasted delicious food from [...]
Education in Times of Turmoil
'Education in times of Turmoil' was the title for the symposium hosted for students and staff in celebration of UWC Day and Peace One Day on September 21st. The Ambassadors to Norway from all the [...]