As climate change melts Greenland’s glaciers and deposits more river sediment on its shores, researchers identified an unexpected economic opportunity for the Arctic nation. Namely, exporting excess sand and gravel abroad, where raw materials for infrastructure are in high demand.
This solution was developed by scientists from CU Boulder, the University of Copenhagen, Arizona State University and the Rhode Island School of Design, and their findings were in the journal Nature Sustainability.
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Arctic nations face difficulties due to ongoing effects of climate change, especially an over-reliance on vulnerable commercial fisheries and other industries. Greenland has tried to diversify its economy for years through mining, oil extraction and tourism, but progress is slow.
At the same time, global sand reserves have been reducing, with demand increasing because of urbanization and infrastructure investments. The study notes that the amount of sand delivered to Greenland’s coast every year year has a market value equal to more than half of the Greenland gross domestic product. This value is expected to double within the next 25 years if the global sand prices continue to rise.
However, sand exploitation could be controversial as it could interfere with the Arctic landscape. For this reason, the study suggests a careful assessment of the environmental impact and implementation in collaboration with the Greenlandic society.
Minik Rosing, a professor at the University of Copenhagen’s Natural History Museum of Denmark, stated:
If Greenland is to benefit from sand extraction, we must raise awareness about the resource both locally and globally. The Greenlandic people must be part of this. Greenland has rigorous resource legislation and authorities and industry must collaborate to minimize potential negative impacts of extraction on the environment