A major Arctic-science conference in Boulder, Colorado, was disrupted by tensions between the US and Greenland over President Trump’s comments on taking over the island. The conference, which was meant to showcase research on Greenland’s melting ice sheet, was marred by a show of solidarity from scientists and a withdrawal of a session on research in Greenland. The incident has raised concerns about the impact of geopolitics on scientific relationships and the future of research in Greenland.
Forecast for 6 months: Tensions between the US and Greenland are likely to escalate, leading to a decrease in international research collaborations in Greenland. This could result in a loss of valuable data on the island’s melting ice sheet, which is crucial for understanding the impacts of climate change.
Forecast for 1 year: The US government’s stance on Greenland is likely to lead to a shift in the global research community’s focus away from the island. This could result in a decline in funding for research projects in Greenland and a decrease in the number of international researchers visiting the island.
Forecast for 5 years: The geopolitical tensions between the US and Greenland are likely to have a lasting impact on the island’s research community. This could lead to a decline in the quality and quantity of research being conducted in Greenland, which could have significant implications for our understanding of climate change and its impacts.
Forecast for 10 years: If the current tensions between the US and Greenland continue, it is possible that the island’s research community could be severely impacted, leading to a loss of expertise and infrastructure. This could have long-term consequences for our ability to understand and address the impacts of climate change.
