Global warming concerns Greenland yet nature lures tourists

Frommer's reports on the natural wonders of Greenland and the affects of global warming on this northern island.

Everyone's worried about the shrinking ice cap in Greenland. And yet, locals seem as confident about the future as they are worried about the present.

The 57,000 inhabitants of this huge island go about their business of fishing, mining, and gently handling the tourists.

Aurora borealis (Northern Lights) [can be seen] year-round. You can find mussels on the beach near Oqaatsut, pick berries and mushrooms while hiking, take a kayak out in summer for netting small salmon, and otherwise enjoy the great outdoors. Dog sledding is best here in March and April.

Read the full story: Greenland: living on an ice cap

Photo from USGS

Greenland: icebergs and sled dogs

Featured in this week's Washington Post's "Your vacation in lights" is Fabia and John Mahoney's trip to Greenland.

HIGHLIGHTS: Icebergs, icebergs and more icebergs. On a morning boat trip from Ilulissat, we sailed among hundreds of towering hunks of ice, each one a different size, shape and color. Another boat tour (this one 12 hours) took us to a calving glacier that, our guide said, had given birth to the berg that sank the Titanic.

Read the full story: Tip of the icebergs

Artic ice melting fast, near tipping point?

Environmental News Network reports on a study showing evidence of greater Arctic ice melt than previously anticipated.

The report released by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), called the Arctic Climate Impact, shows vast climate change in all arctic systems that is already altering ecosystems and affecting the people and animals living there.

The scientists behind the report are alarmed to the point of discussing whether the Arctic is near the so-called tipping point where nothing can be done to reverse the damage.

The reduction of greenhouse gases worldwide is what will help reduce the melt.

Read the full story: Climate change hitting Arctic faster, harder

Disaster vacations: Mt. Kilimanjaro

On the rise is the popularity of going on vacation to ecologically sensitive spots such as melting glaciers or endangered animal viewing before it/they disappear(s). Not to be behind in the trend, The New York Times recent Explorer section was about climbing up Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro before the icecap melts for good. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately the author/climber saw and had to get through lots of snow, therefore unable to emote about the barren ice-free landscape, which in fact his plane ride there is helping to melt. It's great to read about all these "disaster tourists" going to Greenland or Madagascar before all the ice melts/animals are eaten but I never see anything about how they are helping to actually save these things before they are gone...

Read the full story: On Africa's roof

T & L magazine's responsible travel section

Travel and Leisure magazine is taking eco-friendly travel to heart by publishing a responsible travel section on its website. Among the many ecotourism articles and ways to leave less of a carbon footprint was Joe Wise's article on Greenland.

Melting glaciers and icecaps are some of the best places to really see the impact of global warming. And since this topic is gaining popularity, places such as Greenland, with rising temperatures and melting ice are attracting many more tourists recently. Perhaps people want to see upclose big chunks of ice breaking off into the water so they can then brag to their friends back home that they saw some of the last of the polar ice.

Mr. Wise found out that along with the cons of warmer temps also came some pros:

"Greenland has become indisputably warmer over the last decade or so. This has made it difficult to reach traditional ice-fishing sites by dogsled. On the other hand, it’s now possible to take boats out fishing year-round, and the reindeer herds, with more to feed on, are growing."

Read the full story: The melting point

Miami Herald's Earth & Man section

The Miami Herald's travel section dedicated to appreciating natural beauty is aptly named Earth & Man / Travel to Sensitive Destinations. Although not all articles published on this section have to do with getting to destinations the most ecofriendly way possible, they do highlight natural areas that can inspire travelers to become more environmentally friendly.

Their latest story about cruising Greenland's icecap shows firsthand reactions to the obvious melting:

"Nearly every [Greenlander] local has a story of warming temps: a noticeably shrinking icecap, shifting fish populations, a dog-sledding season cut short by three months. This much seems certain: As ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica warm and glaciers worldwide thin, the sea will rise significantly. Coasts will shift. Though it won't happen quickly -- not in this lifetime, or perhaps the next -- that scenario seems all the more reason to trade in the gas guzzler, change to energy saver light bulbs."

Read the full story: Greenland: Cruise explores harsh universe - in comfort