Trump’s Desire to Add Greenland to the U.S. Threatens the Future of Arctic Research

Greenland citizens gather in Nuuk, Greenland to protest against joining the United States., (Image Creds: Christian Klindt Sølbeck/Ritzau Scanpixn from AP)

“I think Greenland is going to be something that maybe is in our future,” said President Trump to reporters, hinting at his interest in Greenland and his desire to annex it as a new addition to the United States.

Trump has claimed that the U.S. will “have” Greenland through either a financial deal or through brute military force. This borderline threat has caused Greenland citizens to grow deeply concerned for their future freedoms. This inspired a major gathering on March 26, where over 50 Greenladers formed a circle outside the U.S. military base in Greenland that vice president JD Vance was visiting, holding signs with sayings such as “We Are Not For Sale” and “No Means No,” as well as Greenland flags to wave in protest of Trump’s plans.

Greenland is an international research hub for scientists of all disciplines. The climate and geographical layout of the autonomous territory attracts climate change researchers all over the world each summer to study its melting ice caps and how this contributes to rising sea levels all over our world.

For now, scientists are drawing out plans for fieldwork and studies this summer in Greenland. However, the future of these plans remains uncertain. “But of course, science is also affected by politics, and that's - in this circumstance - very sad, " says Kerim Hestnes Nisanciolgu, a climate change scientist at the University of Bergen in Norway.