Oil Spill around Nanortalik, Tsunami, Polar Bears, Merging of Municipalities… September’s Wrap-Up

Following the sinking of the vessel Adolf Jensen, an oil spill of between 15,000 and 20,000 liters of diesel oil occurred in Nanortalik, in the south of the country (DR, September 20). Due to climate change, the occurrence of tsunamis could increase in Kalaallit Nunaat, according to a study that examined the occurrence of a tsunami on the east coast of Kalaallit Nunaat last year (Sermitsiaq, September 13). In addition, a polar bear traveled at least 200 kilometers from Kalaallit Nunaat to Iceland, before being shot by the authorities (DR, September 20). On the domestic front, the merger of municipalities in 2009 has posed major difficulties; in particular, many citizens living outside the main towns of the five main municipalities complain of a lack of local democracy and an over-burdened bureaucracy. A reorganization of the municipalities could be envisaged (Sermitsiaq, September 13). Greenlandic Folketing MP Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam, who gave a speech in Kalaallisut a year ago, is due to give her speech in her mother tongue again at the opening of the parliamentary session on October 3. However, she has been refused the use of simultaneous interpretation equipment, even though the Folketing has it (DR, September 30). On the subject of the Arctic ambassador, whose appointment had met with profound Greenlandic disagreement last year, the Danish Prime Minister declared that she “wanted to respond” to Kalaallit Nunaat’s wish to have an Arctic ambassador in the country (DR, August 27). Against a backdrop of tension over Kalaallit Nunaat’s in the Nordic Council, Múte B. Egede stated that Kalaallit Nunaat would not participate in the Danish presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2026 (Altinget, September 12). Meanwhile, more than two months after the arrest of activist Paul Watson, Denmark’s Supreme Court has yet to rule on his detention (DR, October 2). Finally, Air Greenland has announced the creation of new air links between Denmark and Kalaallit Nunaat, with new departures to Nuuk from Aalborg and Billund (DR, September 24).