Santiago BritoSuperior Writing7 – 9April 18th, 2016

Greenland

In 986, the Norwegian Viking Erick the Red set out Iceland with 25 ships and more than 400 people. The

journey covered approximately 900 nautical miles of open ocean, but the danger was mitigated by the Vikings ships’

advanced design and Erick’s superior navigation skills. Several ships had to turn back or were lost, yet 14 arrived. The

reward for their brave effort was a new land, Greenland. A suitable place for raising livestock and establishing new

settlements. Greenland is the world’s largest island, lying in the North Atlantic Ocean. Because of Greenland’s

location, its common landscape includes a vast tundra and immense glaciers. Though its artic climate, the population

is widely dispersed, and the bulk of them live in one of the island’s 18 municipalities. Greenland is a natural wonder

and an unusual home for about 50.000 people, but it is seriously threatened by global warming.

As it was exposed before, the climate of Greenland is Arctic, modified only by the slight influence of the Gulf

Stream in the southwest. Average winter temperatures range from about -7 °C in the south to approximately -34 °C

in the north. Summer average temperature along the southwest coast is about 7 °C while the average in the far

north is closer to 4 °C. Greenland experiences about two months of midnight sun in the summer. During this

phenomenon, the traditional concept of time loses all meaning because the day has neither a beginning nor an end.

Midnight sun can be experienced north of the Arctic Circle for a period lasting from a single day to five months

depending on how far north you travel. This is a rough land to thrive, but several species of land mammals can be

found on the island. We can find animals such as polar bears, musk oxen, reindeer, arctic foxes, snow hares, ermines

and lemmings. Seals and whales are also found in the surrounding waters. Chief source of nourishment for the

Greenlanders comes from the sea where it is possible to find cod, salmons, flounders and halibut. Salmon and arctic

char can be found in island`s rivers.

The life of Greenlanders is based on fishing, which is their primary economic activity. This population is

composed by Inuit and Danish. About four-fifths of Greenlanders are principally of Inuit, or Eskimo. More than one-

tenth of the people are Danish. They lived in one of the 18 municipalities while the remainder live in villages.

Santiago BritoSuperior Writing7:00 – 9:00April 20th, 2016

Greenland

Vikings were more than just raiders and pillagers. Indeed, they were brave warriors and exceptional

navigators. Historical archives talk about a singular one called Erick the Red, whose name was related not only to his

hair, but also to his mood. During his last exile for manslaughter, he explored a new promising land for raising

livestock and establishing new settlements. Furthermore, he chose an attractive name for it, Greenland. This

beautiful place is the world’s largest island, lying in the North Atlantic Ocean. Because of its location, the common

landscape includes a vast tundra and immense glaciers. Despite of arctic climate, the population is widely dispersed

in principal cities and small villages. Greenland is a natural wonder and an unusual home for about 50.000 people,

but it is seriously threatened by global warming.

Greenland arctic climate does not define utterly its environment. Unique natural phenomena and adapted

fauna are iconic elements, too. In spite of the fact that temperatures could range from -34 to 4 °C during the year,

several species of land mammals can be found on the island. Animals such as polar bears, musk oxen, reindeer, artic

foxes, snow hares, ermines and lemmings depict the magic of nature in this far land. Moreover, both sea and rivers

are chief source of nourishment for the Greenlanders since they provide cod, salmons, flounders, halibut and arctic

char. Midnight sun and northern lights are the most enchanting natural spectacles not only for the tourists, but also

for the residents. Greenlanders are accustomed to dealing with days that have neither a beginning nor an end. In

addition, they are blessed with an enviable view of those dreamy and alien-like lights that dance over their heads

during the night.

Greenland population include Inuit and Danish people. They are widely dispersed, and the bulk of them live

in one of the island’s 18 municipalities while the remainder live in villages. Though Greenland remains a part of the

Kingdom of Denmark, the island’s home-rule government is responsible for most domestic affairs. This fact has

relevance because about four-fifths of Greenlanders are principally Inuit, or Eskimo. In contrast, more than one-

tenth of Greenlanders are Danish. Greenland as a home presents a contrast between old and new lifestyles. It is

possible to find small towns and settlements along with high-rise buildings, modern enterprises and busy fishing

ports. Advanced digital telecommunication services are also available for 98% of the population. Therefore,

Greenland is coming near to the rest of the world through technology.

Santiago BritoSuperior Writing7:00 – 9:00April 20th, 2016

Greenland

Vikings were more than just raiders and pillagers. Indeed, they were brave warriors and exceptional

navigators. Historical archives talk about a singular one called Erick the Red, whose name was related not only to his

hair, but also to his mood. During his last exile for manslaughter, he explored a new promising land for raising

livestock and establishing new settlements. Furthermore, he chose an attractive name for it, Greenland. This

beautiful place, lying in the North Atlantic Ocean, is the world’s largest island. Because of its location, the common

landscape includes a vast tundra and immense glaciers. Despite of arctic climate, the population is widely dispersed

in principal cities and small villages. Greenland is a natural wonder and an unusual home for about 50.000 people,

but it is seriously threatened by global warming.

Greenland arctic climate does not define utterly its environment. Unique natural phenomena and adapted

fauna are iconic elements, too. In spite of the fact that temperatures could range from -34 to 4 °C during the year,

several species of land mammals can be found on the island. Animals such as polar bears, musk oxen, reindeer, artic

foxes, snow hares, ermines and lemmings depict the magic of nature in this far land. Moreover, both sea and rivers

are chief source of nourishment for the Greenlanders since they provide cod, salmons, flounders, halibut and arctic

char. Midnight sun and northern lights are the most enchanting natural spectacles not only for the tourists, but also

for the residents. Greenlanders are accustomed to dealing with days that have neither a beginning nor an end. In

addition, they are blessed with an enviable view of those dreamy and alien-like lights that dance over their heads

during the night.

Greenland population include Inuit and Danish people. They are widely dispersed, and the bulk of them live

in one of the island’s 18 municipalities while the remainder live in villages. Though Greenland remains a part of the

Kingdom of Denmark, the island’s home-rule government is responsible for most domestic affairs. This fact has

relevance because about four-fifths of Greenlanders are principally Inuit, or Eskimo. In contrast, more than one-

tenth of Greenlanders are Danish. Greenland as a home presents a contrast between old and new lifestyles. It is

possible to find small towns and settlements along with high-rise buildings, modern enterprises and busy fishing

ports. Advanced digital telecommunication services are also available for 98% of the population. Therefore,

Greenland is coming near to the rest of the world through technology.

The melting of Greenland glaciers has been recorded for about 38 years, and the collected data in 2015

showed that over 50% of the ice sheet experienced surface melting. The 2015 total summer melt extent area was

the 11th largest in the period 1978 to 2015. Greenland’s 2015 melt extent area total was approximately 85.000

square kilometers above the 1981 to 2010 average. All of this information along with simulations and data analysis

came from a huge database developed by NSIDC (National Snow & Ice Data Center). Someone could wonder why it is

important the melting of the ice in an outlying region of this world, but what they probably do not know is that more

than 90% of our planet’s freshwater is bound in the massive ice sheets and glaciers of the Antarctic and Greenland.

Indeed, all by itself, Greenland could bump sea levels by 7 meters if its ice melt completely.

Finally, even though Greenland is a rough place to thrive, people and animals have learned to deal with the

extreme climate, but maybe they are not prepared for the changes coming due to the global warming. Vikings saw

something magic in these remote lands, and the world should understand they were not utterly wrong. The

freshwater contained in the ice of Greenland can alter significantly the sea level. Hence, the most distant regions in

this planet still retain their natural beauty, but we are modifying this state with our selfish and polluting activities.

We are still on time in order to protect our home together with ourselves. We must keep in mind that this planet has

overcome worse catastrophes than the one caused by us. However, I am not really sure if we could be able to do it

as well as the Earth.

Reference

Greenland. (n.d.). In Encyclopædia Britannica online. Retrieved from

http://www.britannica.com/place/Greenland

NASA. (2015, Sep 22). The hidden meltdown of Greenland. Retrieved from

http://climate.nasa.gov/news/2342/

National Snow & Ice Data Center. (2016, Jan 20). Greenland Ice Sheet Today. Retrieved from

http://nsidc.org/greenland-today/

Visit Greenland. (n.d.). Greenland, be a pioneer. Retrieved from

http://www.greenland.com/en/

Santiago BritoSuperior Writing7:00 – 9:00April 25th, 2016

Greenland

Vikings were more than just raiders and pillagers. Indeed, they were brave warriors and exceptional

navigators. Historical archives talk about a distinguished one called Erick the Red, whose name was related not only

to his hair, but also to his mood. During his last exile for manslaughter, he explored a new promising land for raising

livestock and establishing new settlements. Furthermore, he chose an attractive name for it, Greenland. This

beautiful place, lying in the North Atlantic Ocean, is the world’s largest island. Because of its location, the common

landscape includes a vast tundra and immense glaciers. Despite of arctic climate, the population is widely dispersed

in principal cities and small villages. Greenland is a natural wonder and an unusual home for about 50.000 people,

but it is seriously threatened by global warming.

Greenland’s arctic climate does not define utterly its environment. Unique natural phenomena and adapted

fauna are iconic elements, too. In spite of the fact that temperatures could range from -34 to 4 °C during the year,

several species of land mammals can be found on the island. Animals such as polar bears, musk oxen, reindeer, artic

foxes, snow hares, ermines and lemmings depict the magic of nature in this far land. Moreover, both sea and rivers

are chief source of nourishment for the Greenlanders since they provide cod, salmons, flounders, halibut and arctic

char. Midnight sun and northern lights are the most enchanting natural spectacles not only for the tourists, but also

for the residents. Greenlanders are accustomed to dealing with days that have neither a beginning nor an end. In

addition, they are blessed with an enviable view of those dreamy and alien-like lights that dance over their heads

during the night.

Greenland population include Inuit and Danish people. They are widely dispersed, and the bulk of them live

in one of the island’s 18 municipalities while the remainder live in villages. Though Greenland remains a part of the

Kingdom of Denmark, the island’s home-rule government is responsible for most domestic affairs. This fact has

relevance because about four-fifths of Greenlanders are principally Inuit, or Eskimo. In contrast, more than one-

tenth of Greenlanders are Danish. Greenland as a home presents a contrast between old and new lifestyles. It is

possible to find small towns and settlements along with high-rise buildings, modern enterprises and busy fishing

ports. Advanced digital telecommunication services are also available for 98% of the population. Therefore,

Greenland is coming near to the rest of the world through technology.

The melting of Greenland glaciers has been recorded for about 38 years, and the collected data in 2015

showed that over 50% of the ice sheet experienced surface melting. The 2015 total summer melt extent area was

the 11th largest in the period 1978 to 2015. Greenland’s 2015 melt extent area total was approximately 85.000

square kilometers above the 1981 to 2010 average. All of this information along with simulations and data analysis

came from a huge database developed by NSIDC (National Snow & Ice Data Center). Someone could wonder why it is

important the melting of the ice in an outlying region of this world, but what they probably do not know is that more

than 90% of the planet freshwater is bound in the massive ice sheets and glaciers of the Antarctic and Greenland.

Indeed, all by itself, Greenland could bump sea levels by 7 meters if its ice melt completely.

Finally, even though Greenland is a rough place to thrive, people and animals have learned to deal with the

extreme climate, but maybe they are not prepared for the changes coming due to the global warming. Vikings saw

something magic in these remote lands, and the world should understand they were not utterly wrong. The

freshwater contained in the ice of Greenland can alter significantly the sea level. Hence, the most distant regions in

this planet still retain their natural beauty, but human beings are modifying this state with their selfish and polluting

activities. The time is not over yet, and future generations can still inherit a healthy home. It is necessary to keep in

mind that this planet has overcome worse catastrophes than the one caused by us, and at the end the Earth has

always returned to be a suitable home for life after a long period of time. However, humans could disappear before

it happens.

References

Greenland. (n.d.). In Encyclopædia Britannica online. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/place/Greenland

NASA. (2015, Sep 22). The hidden meltdown of Greenland. Retrieved from http://climate.nasa.gov/news/2342/

National Snow & Ice Data Center. (2016, Jan 20). Greenland Ice Sheet Today. Retrieved from http://nsidc.org

/greenland-today/

Visit Greenland. (n.d.). Greenland, be a pioneer. Retrieved from http://www.greenland.com/en/