The municipality is increasing its focus on sustainability and the impact of climate change on our environment and nature. The global change has made it necessary to plan for climate change, in terms of drainage of water and rising sea levels. We are also focusing on how to use areas between our houses and the landscape outside our towns.
The climate is changing noticeably these years. Climate change is causing the weather to change, bringing with it heavier rainfall, stronger winds, higher average temperatures and a shorter winter season.
Today, we are facing considerable uncertainties in terms of predicting the consequences of climate change: What advantages and disadvantages will the municipality see in the short and the long term?
Our ancestors also experienced and adapted to climate change. What matters is that Qaasuitsup Municipality must be abreast of any change.
Qaasuitsup Municipality must be well-informed and ready to adapt to the new opportunities and challenges caused by climate change. One of the main reasons for the changing climate is people's emissions of greenhouse gases. Therefore, we should limit the emission of CO₂. As the local authority, Qaasuitsup Municipality will lead the way.
We require that all new buildings are environmentally sustainable. Our energy sector should to the extent possible be based on green energy sources. Our town hall is to undergo energy optimisation, followed by as many of our municipal buildings as possible.
Our natural areas make up a substantial basis for the population's recreational possibilities, fishing, sealing and whaling, settlement and tourism. In Qaasuitsup Municipality, we demand that society develops on a sustainable basis in respect of people's living conditions and of the preservation of flora and fauna.
The municipality's responsibilities in terms of nature conservation include nature management, nature restoration, nature monitoring, supervision of protected areas, ancient monuments and natural emenities, improvement of the public's access to and leisure areas in nature as well as communication.
In practice, we see oil tins being thrown in the sea when the engine has been topped up, waste being left in the wild after camping trips, and discarded packaging being dumped in sled tracks.
Our attitude has to change. We must make it a mutual habit not to dump waste in nature and adopt better habits.
In the next years, an environmental action plan is to be prepared to ensure that no initiatives are launched that deteriorate nature and living conditions, not now and not for coming generations.
Waste should be a focus area. Not just in terms of disposal, but throughout the circle that substances and materials pass through, in order to limit waste of resources through resource minimisation and reuse.
Raw materials and other natural resources are to be utilised in a sustainable and, in all aspects, safe basis. We must be sure that all issues are studied and clarified.
A prerequisite for implementing a more sustainable development in Qaasuitsup Municipality is active involvement of citizens, companies and organisations in the process. In that connection, it is important that the municipality, as the local authority, takes the lead and sets a good example.
