The Arctic and Its Future
April 2009
Banner photo: © Tim Hibo/Getty Images
Facing a New Future
Paarma Egede Lund is a student from the town of Narsaq in southern Greenland, population approximately 1,800. The existence of a uranium deposit in the town and the ensuing debates about whether or not to mine it epitomize the challenges and dilemmas for Greenlanders as they confront a changing physical, cultural and economic landscape brought about in part by global warming. Paarma is currently studying in Denmark but returned home over the summer last year to assist in "A-21," the local Narsaq museum and community center that uses the principles of Agenda 21--the UN-led program to promote sustainable development--to engage local children, youth and adults in projects communicating the message of sustainable development.
SGI Quarterly: What was your experience of participating in the A-21 project?
Paarma Egede Lund: I was responsible for the visitors and tourists as well as the museum itself.
The town of Narsaq
[© Robert van Waarden All Rights Reserved]
I learned a lot about my own hometown and our culture--things you normally don't consider in your everyday life or learn in school. It was amazing to meet so many people from different places in the world. I also really enjoyed talking to people who had a different background from mine, and realizing that my story--the story of our unique people, culture and country--could be fascinating to visitors. A-21 is a great resource for the inhabitants of Narsaq as well. It helps contribute to increasing knowledge of the world outside Greenland as well as bringing the local citizens of Narsaq closer together.
SGIQ: What climatic changes have you seen in Greenland in your lifetime?
PL: In the early 90s, we saw obvious changes in the Greenlandic weather conditions. Before, there were long and cold winters. Suddenly it changed to warmer and shorter winters and longer periods of spring and summer. I also think it snowed more frequently when I was a child.
Because of global warming, we now see changes in our ice cap, which also affect the Arctic wildlife. Greenlandic hunters have already begun to notice changes. Some of the ice is now gone, and it is difficult for the hunters to reach the animals.
Some people feel that what is about to happen might actually be a good thing. I agree to a certain degree. I think it could improve the overall development of Greenland. Life becomes easier when it is warmer, especially for farming and agricultural work. Some of my family are sheep farmers, and I believe it will benefit them. We will be able to produce more basic products ourselves and reduce the large amount of imports to our country. The profession of hunter is in danger, though.
SGIQ: Do you worry that much of Inuit culture may be lost?
PL: I do not think that our culture will disappear. There may be some changes, but I do not think our traditions, language and other ways of living will disappear. The old Greenlanders say that young people today have become too modern and we have changed our way of talking and writing. It is probably true, since it cannot be avoided if we want to be a part of a globalized world. But I am not afraid we will lose our language or cultural values. Fortunately we have a lot of people among us who are very proud of our culture and language, and I believe there will be even more of these Greenlanders, because the more independent we become, the more stubborn and hardworking we will turn out.
SGIQ: Do you see people who have no choice but to focus more on the short-term economic needs of their families than on protecting the environment?
PL: Yes, I do. In my own hometown quite a lot of people support uranium mining without regarding the environmental and health-related problems it can cause. The local unemployment rate is high, and that is probably why some people think it is a good idea. I speak strongly against uranium mining in my hometown because I don't think that the local citizens are being heard. We don't receive objective information of the consequences and costs of a mine being placed so close to the area where people live.
Youth who joined a conference on "Greenland's Environmental Policies and Climate Change" held in Narsaq in April 2008 issuing a message in the local language of Kalaallisut calling on political leaders to address climate change and pollution
[A-21, Narsaq]
I believe uranium is highly dangerous for public health--why else is uranium prohibited in other parts of the world? And besides being dangerous, it won't even be Greenlanders who benefit from the mining. Instead it will be foreigners, international companies, who don't care about the costs it will cause us Greenlanders. If the national politicians accept and open the mine, my family will leave my hometown and we will probably never live in it again. This place is where I was born--it is my home. It makes me very sad to think that they might destroy our town.
We all share a responsibility for improving the overall situation in Greenland. Our country is a young country, so I think it is important that young Greenlanders do our best to make a difference and contribute to the sustainable development of our country.
