Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Greenland's Glaciers: Bridging Science and Local Knowledge Through Fjords, Ice, and Community
A talk with the Institute of Arctic Studies
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Overview
Overview
Communities in Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) are facing new challenges and opportunities due to climate change. The fjord systems and coastal areas are projected to undergo significant changes as sea ice and glaciers retreat.
However, uncertainties in future projections pose challenges for everyday practices, including fishing, tourism, and infrastructure development. The scientific community increasingly recognizes the importance of involving local knowledge in defining research agendas and methodologies, as well as in data collection and analysis. Unfortunately, opportunities to share narratives and learn from each other remain limited.
In this case study we examine the local and far-field impacts of Greenland ice sheet melt, focusing on the complex processes taking place at the marine-terminating margin of Sermeq Kujalleq (Jakobshavn Glacier), one of the world’s largest and fastest-flowing marine-terminating glaciers, which frequently clogs the fjord with massive icebergs. Along with Qeqertarsuup Tunua (Disko Bay), this area hosts some of the most important hunting grounds, a vibrant fishing culture, and a growing tourism industry.
By combining observations and dynamical models with local and indigenous knowledge, we have designed a research project to address questions related to the impact of increasing Greenland melt and calving on fjord circulation, sea ice seasonality, ecosystems and fisheries. In this talk, I will highlight recent results of our study of the fjord system, as well as discuss how we can move forward in addressing the concerns of the local communities.
Dr. Kerim Hestnes Nisancioglu
Dr. Kerim Hestnes Nisancioglu
Dr. Kerim Hestnes Nisancioglu received his degree from the Program in Atmospheres, Ocean and Climate at MIT in 2004 and is currently Professor of Climate Dynamics at the Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, Norway. Until recently, he led the Polar Research group at the Bjerknes Center for Climate Research (also in Bergen). He is now on sabbatical at Scripps until the summer of 2025.
Dr. Nisancioglu's research and teaching is focused on the understanding the dynamics of past, present and future climate changes, with particular emphasis on the Arctic. His recent work as principal investigator of the European Research Council project ice2ice centred around understanding abrupt climate changes in the Arctic and how changes in sea ice impacts the dynamics of the Greenland ice sheet. His research group has been studying the response of Arctic sea ice and fast-flowing ice streams in Greenland to changes in Arctic climate and ocean temperature. This includes leading the Norwegian contribution to the international project EastGRIP, which recently completed the drilling of a deep ice core into the fast-flowing ice stream on northeast Greenland.
Dr. Nisancioglu has been active in teaching a broad range of topics, from sustainability to climate dynamics and oceanography. He is also dedicated to science communication, particularly with children and youth, through collaborations with schools, science museums, and a community of international artists. His most recent project, ClimateNarratives, is a transdisciplinary research initiative focusing on identifying risks, vulnerabilities, innovations, and adaptation possibilities for indigenous communities living along the coast of Greenland and on low-lying islands of the Pacific. This project involves a cross-disciplinary team of scientists, artists, and local community members.
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