Human Dimensions of Climate Change in Greenland

Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat) is undergoing significant environmental transformations due to the confluence of climate change and societal development. This paper reviews existing research on the human dimensions of climate change in Greenland across various sectors, examines how adaptation is occurring and the associated barriers and opportunities, assesses climate governance and how decision-making has impacted adaptation, and identifies critical research gaps. Climate changes are having the largest impacts on Greenlanders who practice traditional lifestyles and live in small settlements but are also creating new economic opportunities. More research is needed regarding how to channel these opportunities to benefit Greenlanders, and there are gaps in understanding how non-hunters, women, and children, are being affected by climate change. Climate adaptation in Greenland is an evolving process. Most documented adaptation strategies are community-led and autonomous and there is a need for more proactive and planned adaptation. Additional work is needed to evaluate implemented adaptations, and on potential climate impacts under different warming levels and transformation trajectories. Reported adaptation barriers include historically limited involvement of Kalaallit communities in government-led adaptation planning, insufficient resources, restrictive international and governmental regulations, and limited climate science education.