Life on thin ice by Dan McDougall

Introduction

The text describes a district in Greenland. The world’s largest island, once beautiful because of its majestic mountains, vast icebergs and lively Inuit fishing villages, disintegrating due to the ongoing climate crisis, leaving behind an island no longer recognised by residents. The melting ice is causing immense hardship for its people as their traditional way of living is vanishing, leaving them fearful of what lies ahead. This text is impactful and leaves a lasting impression on the reader because it describes how dire the situation is and there is a discussion of mental health throughout the text, prompting the reader to reflect upon their own lives. The writer uses a variety of different language techniques to instil the impression that Greenland is a dying place while informing us about the unfolding events caused by climate change.

Ice

“Frozen womb“

This image is effective because it adds depth to the text while evoking strong empathy from the reader. ‘Womb’ has connotations of life and birth. Just as a womb gives life to a child, so too the ice gives life to the culture and people of Greenland. This suggests how closely connected people feel they are to their homeland.

“An umbilical cord to friends and family“

This image is effective because it adds depth to the text while evoking strong empathy from the reader. An umbilical cord is significant as it creates an idea of the ice being a way of connection to those in Greenland. Just as an umbilical cord establishes a connection between a mother and a baby, so too does the ice serve as a way to connect residents. Comparing the ice to a motherly figure suggests that the presence of ice brings a sense of comfort, highlighting its uttermost importance as it fosters a sacred bond between the Inuit people. Furthermore, the ice melting because of climate change would be like stripping away this connection which is essentially their way of living.

“Sea ice is everything“

The word ‘everything’ emphasises its importance as sea ice is not all that matters, but for people in Greenland, it may as well be since so much of their quality of life revolves around it and without the ice, this would impede their quality of life. People in Greenland are dependent on the ice for their survival, which in hindsight makes them very vulnerable in light of the growing climate crisis.

Danger

“Greenland is shrinking“

This is a concise yet dramatic statement which immediately brings awareness to the environmental concern in Greenland. The word ‘shrinking’ creates an idea of something plummeting in size. In this context, their land is disappearing and getting significantly smaller, conveying that the climate crisis is still ongoing. The short sentence emphasises how rapidly things are getting worse, evoking a sense of fear and sympathy for the people in Greenland for whom climate change will and is currently having a disastrous impact.

“This is the frontline of climate change“

This suggests that climate change is not a minor or isolated event. Just as a frontline is an area where two opposing armies face each other and war takes place, so too are the people in Greenland, at the ‘frontline’ bear the impact of climate change the most as for devastating things they’ve witnessed and how different their land has become. This encourages the reader to recognise the overwhelming impact of climate change as residents are experiencing immense sorrow because of it. This raises awareness to the reader about the extreme need for action.

“Families are now turning to desperate measures to keep their heads above water“

The word ‘desperate’ has negative connotations of urgency and a last resort. The word ‘now’ highlights that this is a new struggle they’re forced to face in light of the consequences of climate change. This suggests that people in Greenland must do anything in their will to survive. This provides insight into just how much danger there is in Greenland and how their lives are at stake. People in Greenland must adapt to the changing climate as fast as climate change is progressively getting worse.

Dogs

“A dog given the name my son“

This makes it clear how significant the dogs are to the Rasmussen. The familial connotations of ‘my son’ demonstrate the close bond between the man and the dogs and the evolved nature of the relationship that they have. This implies that dogs are honoured in Greenland because of the important role that they play in their society. The fact that they have named the dog as if it were a close-blood relative proves they’re just as loved as a sibling, parent or child. This encourages the reader to accept the views of people in Greenland despite being out of the norm.

“His face contorted“

Contorted has connotations of something twisted in a way that seems unnatural. This is significant as it highlights the strong emotion felt when the Rasmussen must decide to give up their dog. Just like how you might try to hold back tears, your face also crumples and distorts when you are overcome with emotions. This emphasises the depth of their sorrow upon realising the possibility of having to part with their dogs, offering insight into the love that they hold for them.

“A shocking explosion of grief“

The word ‘shocking’ has connotations of something out of the norm, seeming bizarre and beyond nature. As the reader, we can ascertain that this abrupt reaction goes against the Greenlandic culture of stoicism and composure, displaying little to no emotion. The word ‘explosion’ emphasises how much pain and hardship has been endured before finally reaching a breaking point. It symbolises an eruption of emotions. The word ‘grief’ further emphasises this point — they are so overcome with emotional turmoil and anguish and this is felt strongly by the reader.

Mental health

“Domino effect of self-harm“

This blunt statement offers a glimpse into the mental health crisis that is quickly transpiring in Greenland as a result of climate change. The way of life in Greenland is declining but so is people’s mental health. Suicide rates are at an all-time high and are only being exacerbated by the effects of climate change. The fact that it is a domino effect paints the idea that these are instances that occur consecutively. When Greenlanders refrain from sharing their feelings, meaning to suffer in silence, this only contributes to the issue. As the reader, we feel encouraged to do something about it.

“Ecological grief“

Grief has connotations of loss and despair, suggesting that the locals are mourning the change in environment, their home and innate methods of survival that are likely to have been passed down for many generations. This makes us feel sympathy for those experiencing such an extreme circumstance.

“Mourning a disappearing way of life“

Mourning has connotations of misery and melancholy. This suggests that traditional routines and habits in Greenland are gradually withering away due to the impact of climate change. We gain the impression that they are strongly attached to these practices which they have maintained for generations and as the reader we are struck by immense sympathy.

Conclusion

In summary, this touching description of Greenland’s situation reminds us of how climate change is causing serious issues. It encourages us to reflect on how our actions may affect the environment and the lives of others.

Condensed essay plan

Introduction:

- Describe Greenland's current state due to the ongoing climate crisis, emphasizing disintegration.

- Highlight the once majestic landscape now disintegrating, keywords: majestic, disintegrating.

- Emphasize the impact on residents and the discussion of mental health in the text, keywords: impact, mental health.

- Mention the use of language techniques to convey the urgency of the situation, keywords: urgency, language techniques.

Body Paragraphs:

1. Significance of Ice:

- Discuss the symbolism of ice as a source of life and connection in Greenland, keywords: symbolism, connection.

- Analyze phrases like "Frozen womb" and "Umbilical cord to friends and family" to illustrate the importance of ice in fostering bonds within the community, keywords: phrases, illustrate.

- Emphasize the vulnerability of residents as their traditional way of life is threatened by melting ice, keywords: vulnerability, traditional way of life.

2. Perceived Danger:

- Examine phrases like "Greenland is shrinking" and "Frontline of climate change" to highlight the severity of the environmental crisis, keywords: severity, environmental crisis.

- Discuss the urgency conveyed in the text regarding the need for action to mitigate the effects of climate change, keywords: urgency, mitigate.

- Explore the desperation faced by families as they struggle to adapt and survive amidst the changing climate, keywords: desperation, struggle to adapt.

3. Role of Dogs:

- Explore the significance of dogs in Greenlandic culture and society, keywords: significance, culture.

- Analyze phrases like "A dog given the name my son" and "His face contorted" to illustrate the deep bond between residents and their dogs, keywords: deep bond, illustrate.

- Discuss the emotional turmoil experienced by residents when faced with the possibility of parting with their beloved animals, keywords: emotional turmoil, parting.

4. Impact on Mental Health:

- Examine phrases like "Domino effect of self-harm" and "Ecological grief" to discuss the mental health crisis exacerbated by climate change, keywords: mental health crisis, exacerbated.

- Analyze the concept of mourning a disappearing way of life and its implications for the psychological well-being of residents, keywords: psychological well-being, implications.

- Discuss the call to action for readers to recognize and address the mental health challenges faced by communities affected by climate change, keywords: call to action, address.

Conclusion:

- Summarize the key points discussed in the essay, keywords: summarize, key points.

- Reiterate the importance of addressing climate change and its impact on both the environment and mental health, keywords: importance, address.

- Encourage readers to reflect on their own actions and advocate for solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change, keywords: reflect, advocate, solutions.