UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon travelled to Greenland to see the impact of climate change on the autonomous territory’s environment, which he warned is a major threat to local communities’ livelihoods.
Ki-moon met with Greenland premier Aleqa Hammond and travelled to the town of Uummannaq in the Arctic Circle. He described Greenland’s “majestic beauty” as “overwhelming” and admitted he was greatly concerned about the speed at which ice caps and glaciers were changing, along with rising sea levels and how threatened local ecosystems.
The secretary-general spoke of his commitment to helping Greenlanders who have been living there in harmony with nature for centuries. He pointed out that their nature, livelihood and job opportunities were all “very much threatened”.
He revealed that he plans to urge governments to agree laws on global climate change at this year’s climate change summit. He explained that this is the only way Earth can be saved and our future generations can live without fear. He said it is the current generation’s responsibility to ensure the future generations live in a world that is “environmentally stable”.
Greenland experienced temperatures of 25.9C last July, the highest figure recorded since records began. Scientists have claimed in the past that by the time the current century ends, much of Greenland’s predominantly iced-covered surface could be lush forests as a result of climate changes.