Greenland, located between the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, is known as the "Island of Ice and Snow", but is now facing unprecedented warming challenges. On this largest island in the world, ice and snow were once an important support for the islanders, but now it is melting faster than you can imagine.
Moses Bahares is a hunter in eastern Greenland. He used to drive 12 sled dogs across the frozen sea from February to July every year to hunt seals. He said:
"When riding a dog sled, all you can hear is the sound of ice and snow and the panting of the dogs. It's very quiet. This is an important way to get close to nature and relax your mind."
However, the current reality is that the thick and reliable ice layer has disappeared, and the sound of the ice cracking reveals instability. The quietness that was once immersed is now broken by the melting of ice and snow.
According to data from 2025, the amount of ice melted by the Greenland Ice Sheet reached 55 billion tons in just five days. On August 1, 2024, the record single-day ice melt reached 12 billion tons.
2002: The number of sled dogs on the island was about 25,000
2016: Only 15,000 left
Dog sledding is not only a way of life, but also a source of income for many local families. Fewer tourists and shorter hunting seasons mean that the cost of raising dogs has increased, and sled dogs are "unemployed" day by day.
"What should we do if there is no ice and snow?"
Bent Abelson, a sled breeder, said:
"It flows in my blood and in my son's blood. What should we do if there is no ice and snow?"
In the face of global warming, the individual's sense of powerlessness is strong and real. They may be able to switch to more modern hunting boats, but the "loss" of culture is irreversible. Many people also gradually like and collect different ski crafts, such as Wall Ski Coat Rack, etc.
The "unemployment" of dog sledding is just the tip of the iceberg. The loss of cultural heritage caused by global warming is a subject that everyone needs to reflect on.