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

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

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