Imagining and governing the Greenlandic resource frontier

Abstract

This article draws on aspects of current and ongoing research in Greenland on climate change and resource development, in particular on how Greenland is being positioned as a resource frontier and source of raw materials for the global economy within the contexts of a changing climate and a political quest for greater autonomy. This present study is concerned with a consideration of both the political discourse surrounding resource development and the emergent public responses to it. It explores how public disquiet over lack of appropriate consultation (and criticism over the absence of information about planned mega-projects) is leading to a situation where demands for legitimate public engagement in democratic and transparent discussion and debate over extractive industries are increasing, and how this challenges both the representations and governance of resource development.