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High level politicians visit Greenland

Professor Søren Rysgaard informs the President of the European Council Donald Tusk, Denmark’s Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and the Prime Minister of Greenland Kim Kielsen about climate change

Professor Søren Rysgaard explains glacier retreat to Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Donald Tusk and Kim Kielsen. Photo Jakob Kirk Jensen.

Climate change was the overarching theme of the visit of Donald Tusk and Lars Løkke Rasmussen on 17-18 May. They visited Kangerlussuaq, Ilulissat and Ilimanaq, and experienced with their own eyes both the beauty of the glaciers, but also the speed of the ice melt.

Greenland reinforces Tusk’s view on climate change. “The most important thing is that we implement the COP21 agreement from Paris”, says Donald Tusk in an interview by the Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa.

During their visit, the politicians met prominent scientists, among them, Professor Søren Rysgaard from Arctic Research CentreGreenland Institute of Natural Resources and University of Manitoba.

“Tusk was very interested in Greenland and the research conducted here”, says Søren Rysgaard. “I think the most important outcome of this visit was that Tusk at first hand experienced the great nature in Greenland with massive glaciers, icebergs and spectacular sceneries at sea. In addition, he met the local people and experienced the warm and friendly atmosphere in Greenland. I hope the visit will result in a fruitful collaboration in the future”, he adds.

Søren Rysgaard interviewed by the Danish Broadcasting Corporation DR. Photo Jakob Kirk Jensen.