Why Greenland needs to plan for future climate-driven immigration now

A history of colonialism means the nation will need to carefully integrating newcomers in ways that preserve its cultural heritage.

As the climate changes, patterns of human migration will change with it. As discussed in the recent book “Migration in The Arctic: The Past, Present, and Future” edited by Satu Uusiautti and Nafisa Yeasmin, the Arctic has already seen and will see an influx of people moving in as space and economic opportunities open over the next several years. This is a result of increased economic opportunities due to climate change. Greenland’s melting ice sheet is exposing previously inaccessible natural resources, and it is likely to receive a significant portion of this migration. As a country with an 89 percent Indigenous population and a history of colonialism, Greenland must anticipate the challenges and opportunities migration will bring and proactively protect its cultural agency through implementation of a robust immigration policy.