Ilulissat Spiraling Temperature Rise in Greenland Temperature increase dictates the divergent transformations of Greenland. Greenland is in a unique position in that ice melt is actually causing it to gain more land, heightening its agricultural potential. Flowing water from the rivers is alo an excellent source of renewable hydroelectric energy. But not all is good for Greenland. Scientists predict that an aditional 1° increase in temperature can irreversibly disrupt polar bear habitat and further accelerate the retraction of the ice sheet. 2017 2015 2014 2016 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Year land area (square miles) .25 1.25 2.25 .75 1.75 2.75 .5 1.5 2.5 1 2 3 10,000 50,000 90,000 30,000 70,000 110,000 20,000 60,000 100,000 40,000 80,000 120,000 GDP (billions of US $) Total GDP Arable Land and GDP 2008 2010 2013 2004 1993 World Average: 13% 70% 0% The Greenest Country in the World Ilulissat miles from town center miles from town center Polar Bear Sightings vs Deaths sighting killing 1 1 4 2 5 3 6 1 2 3 4 6 5 1 2 2 3 3 4 4