Greenland's warming ice is reshaping Inuit life and global seas

Residents of Ilulissat report an unusually snowless January and absent sea ice that is disrupting dog sledding and hunting, while the nearby Sermeq Kujalleq glacier has retreated markedly and is contributing to rising sea levels.

In Ilulissat, Greenland, residents report an unusually snowless January and missing sea ice that normally forms in winter. Longtime dog sledder Jørgen Kristensen describes routes that are now bare rock rather than packed snow. Local observers say permafrost is thawing, causing buildings to sink and pipes to crack. The broader discussion centers on how Arctic warming and melting glaciers affect both local culture and global coastlines. Key facts: - Residents and local leaders say there was no sea ice this January, which has disrupted dog sledding and traditional hunting routes. - The Sermeq Kujalleq glacier has retreated by about 40 kilometers over recent decades and is producing large numbers of icebergs; UNESCO and NASA are cited on its activity and links to sea-level rise. - Thawing permafrost and increased darkening of snow and ice from soot and volcanic debris are reported to speed local melting and to damage infrastructure. Summary: The article reports that warming in the Ilulissat area is changing travel, hunting and cultural practices while also affecting buildings and services. These local impacts are described alongside scientific observations that the nearby glacier is retreating and contributing to global sea-level rise. Undetermined at this time