Under the Ice. The Rush for Arctic Resources

The Arctic area is experiencing a continuous expansion in terms of economic investments. The extractive industry – oil, natural gas, rare earths – and the maritime trade seem to be booming, new commercial routes are opening.

This is happening in large part due to climate change and in particular the melting of ice, which makes new resources and trade routes accessible and available. Ironically, if climate change is one of the causes driving new explorations and  extraction missions in the Arctic, at the same time these new investments are causing further deterioration of  environmental and climate conditions. This is a vicious circle in which the  premises and consequences are harmful to the planet's future.

Illustration on the right: The Russell Glacier, just a few kilometers from Kangerlussuaq, is one of the most affected by climate change. Photo by Federica Bonalumi.

Additional photos in the gallery below, also by Federica Bonalumi:

1. Ivalo works in the small library of Narsaq. When asked what she thinks about the Kvanefjeld project, she says that she doesn't want to hear about uranium mining in her town anymore.

2. Hunters display their prey on the counter at the Nuuk market.