“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
A Clear Winner
Many congratulations to second year student Elisabeth Dietz for taking first place in the Norwegian High School Philosophical Association Olympiad. Students were given a choice of five topics and had to write their essay in English, German or [...]
Graduation 2015
We are already looking ahead to the graduation of the second year students in May. Attached is information for friends and families who are thinking of attending the ceremony. A letter to parents and guardians [...]
Art Exhibition
As the final part of their course, the second-year Visual Arts students put on an exhibition of their work. It has been much enjoyed by students, staff and visitors. Teachers have been able to take [...]