The real reason why Greenland is important for Florida

The fate of Florida and Greenland are intertwined as they share something in common.

In fact, ice melting in Greenland is a major factor in sea level rise already affecting Florida’s coastline. According to a national geological survey in Denmark and Greenland, Greenland ice sheets continue to be the world’s largest source of sea level rise in 2024.

The important and central question about Greenland is whether the world will continue to raise global temperatures and see Greenland’s ice sheet melt. The ice sheet has enough ice to raise the sea level 23 feet, wiping away most of the coastal world.

President Donald Trump repeatedly argued his desire to acquire Greenland for reasons of national security and access to important mineral resources. He has not ruled out military actions to do so. But rather than bending imperialist ambitions, the United States must engage in multilateral negotiations and address the common challenges posed by a warming planet.

Recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio recognized the melted ice in the area from a transport lane perspective. However, he ignores the floods, loss of property and economic consequences of the ocean rise caused by the melted glaciers of Greenland in his own homeland, Miami.

Currently, the Senate Speaker (R-Texas), chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said on February 12 that he saw the importance of Nuuk and Cranny: Arctic and Greenland’s Geostrategic to US interests. , will hold a hearing, “To discuss and potentially support President Trump’s wise ambitions to misuse Greenland on the detriment of coastal communities everywhere.

If the US was operating in our best interests rather than planning to take over Greenland, we will engage with Greenland and Denmark and will stop the collapse of the Greenland ice sheet. Together, we propose a cap for sea level rise, serving as a gathering for international cooperation.

The US and other developed countries are primarily responsible for the climate pollution that causes Greenland’s glacier to continue to melt, and Florida is currently routinely experiencing the effects of sea level rise and accelerated flooding. I’m doing it. The United Nations points out that risks exist in island states, coastal zones of densely populated countries, and major cities on all continents, including Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Lagos, London, Mumbai, New York and Shanghai.

It brings us to lowland coastal cities in Florida like Miami, which withstand flooding on already sunny days and hinders access and mobility on the streets. In addition, rising sea levels have worsened saltwater invasion, affecting groundwater supply. Meanwhile, more and more insurance companies are refusing to cover Florida properties that are at risk of flooding or are charging ever-growing interest rates. The economic impact on tourism, infrastructure and ports echoes far more inland.

Florida’s sea level is 8 inches higher than in 1950, and sea level rise is accelerating. Due to past and future increases in global temperature, the amount of sea level rise is “baked.” Current data show that 2024 is likely to be the first calendar year, with an increase of 1.5°C over pre-industrial norms. 2023 made 2024 and 2023 the warmest and most astounding year on record, surpassing the previous warmest year (2016) by 0.17 degrees C, making 2024 and 2023 the warmest and most astounding year on record.

It is essential that the Great Sea adapt to minimize its impact on sea level rise and accelerate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and avoid the worst effects of global warming.

Sea level rise forecasts for over 2050 will be driven by multiple factors, including Antarctic and Greenland’s greenhouse gas emissions, rising global temperatures, and ice sheet melting.

As long as self-interests are involved in the proximity of home, President Trump may think 86.3% of Palm Beach property is at risk of flooding. That percentage rose to 92.8% over 30 years. Scientists like Dr. Harold Wanles, a geologist and professor of geography and sustainable development at the University of Miami, predict that downtown Miami will be underwater in the second half of this century.

“The tide will come in and we won’t be coming back in the end,” Wanress said. “Climate change is real.”

So why not make the fate of Greenlandic Ice Sheets the centre of the debate for us, the Danes and the Greenlanders? The strengthening of attention in Greenland should be an opportunity to educate and motivate both the US and global communities about the growing threat posed by melting ice sheets. The fate of Greenland is that of Florida (and other coastal worlds).

Kim Ross is co-executive director and co-founder of Resink Energy Florida. Florida is a nonprofit organization dedicated to captivate, educate and empowering Florida people to move towards clean energy in a healthier, sustainable environment through youth education. Adult engagement and community organisation. Dr. Daniel Reifsnyder is an adjunct professor at the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia and co-chair of the 2015 Paris Agreement negotiations. The Invadingsea.com publishes news and commentary on climate change and other environmental issues affecting Florida.