Greenland’s melting ice and landslide-prone fjords make the oil and minerals Trump is eyeing dangerous to extract

Melting ice, thawing permafrost and crumbling fjord walls are just a few of the risks climate change poses for those living and working in Greenland.

By: Paul Bierman, University of Vermont, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 6, 2026

Words: 1,498

Last Updated: 2 days, 13 hours ago

By Paul Bierman, University of Vermont

Since Donald Trump regained the U.S. presidency, he has talked about taking over Greenland. He has insisted that the U.S. will control the island, currently an autonomous territory of Denmark, and that if his overtures are rejected he will perhaps seize Greenland by force, or, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly suggested to members of Congress on Jan. 5, 2026, buy the island.

The …

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