Trump’s plan to claim Greenland could spark a climate crisis

President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to annex Greenland threatens to open the region’s massive oil and gas reserves, sparking concerns about global climate consequences.

Gabriel Gavin and Leonie Cater report for POLITICO.

In short:

Trump plans to annex Greenland, citing economic and national security interests, despite Denmark’s opposition.
Greenland holds vast oil and gas reserves, but a 2021 moratorium bans fossil fuel extraction to address climate concerns.
Environmentalists warn that opening Greenland to drilling could unleash emissions that make it impossible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Key quote:

“There is no path to limit warming to 1.5 degrees that does not include moratoriums or bans or not opening new oil fields anywhere.”

— Kirtana Chandrasekaran, Friends of the Earth campaigner

Why this matters:

Greenland’s oil and gas reserves are among the largest untapped resources in the world. Exploiting them could dramatically accelerate climate change and set back global efforts to transition to renewable energy. Trump's plan also raises questions about environmental degradation in the fragile Arctic ecosystem and geopolitical competition in the region.

Learn more: Why Greenland’s warming landscape is fueling geopolitical tensions

www.politico.eu

Trump’s plan to claim Greenland could spark a climate crisis

Drought-hit Britain heads for worst cereal harvest in four decades

With AI slop, wildfire misinformation is mutating online

Editorial: Blaming environmentalism is convenient for those who failed to see the climate crisis coming

How regenerative farmers are shielding Spanish land from wildfires

Scientists say global warming is making summer miserable, but soon El Niño will add to the heat

Court rules against Trump EPA’s freeze of $20B in ‘green bank’ funds

Supreme Court sets date for blockbuster climate case

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.