Some of the biggest names in motorsport such as Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg have formed teams that will compete on a purpose-built Arctic race course – driving a fully electric SUV – named ODYSSEY 21 – part of which will actually be on the sandbars with views of the once-mighty Russell Glacier in Kangerlussuaq.
Extreme E is not only a racing event that will focus on important topics such as sustainability, it aims to leave a long-lasting positive impact in the countries where it races. Hence, Extreme E will be supporting UNICEF’s NAKUUSA programme, which helps children’s rights in Greenland. The partnership aims to raise awareness of the effects of climate change in Greenland and its children as well as Extreme E fans and audiences.
In a bid to keep Extreme E’s carbon footprint to a minimum, as well as the remote nature of its events, X Prixs are not open to spectators. Instead, fans are invited to watch through a host of global broadcasters as listed here, and to also get involved via the championship’s innovative FanWorld concept.
Why Greenland?
Greenland is ground zero for climate change! It is a place where the locals literally have to adapt their lifestyle, language and mindset according to the changing climate.
Kangerlussuaq, the host location, offers easy access to the Greenland ice sheet, impressive glaciers, to Arctic wildlife and is a UNESCO protected area. The sand dunes by Russell Glacier created by melting ice creates a perfect racecourse.
Russell Glacier is a hub for scientific research on climate change in Greenland due to its accessibility. Not only that, it is a place where the local knowledge of terrain and environment is immense, gathered from everyday living and exploring.
Greenland pioneers Roadless Rapid Transit land transport system
- You might know that to get around in Greenland you need a plane or a boat, as there are no roads between the towns. Qeqqata community is now making history with the Arctic Circle Road highland track project, connecting Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut.
- Greenland thus hosts the world’s first land transport project of its kind, using the Ísar ‘Roadless Rapid Transit’ ™ system. Unique carbon-capture-methanol powered Ísar 4×4 vehicles will ferry passengers and freight through the unspoilt Unesco World Heritage area economically, fossil-fuel free, and not least, without unnecessary and invasive infrastructure to scar the pristine environment!
Why Kangerlussuaq?
Due to its history and location, Kangerlussuaq is unique in so many ways. It is the only inland community in Greenland with roughly 500 residents, having been established as an American military base in 1941, Blue West Eight, which was later renamed Sondrestrom Air Base (SFJ). It was passed onto the Greenland government in 1992 and was the main airport hub for the country, when Nuuk Airport began offering direct connections to Copenhagen. Kangerlussuaq is also a core destination for tourism and scientific activities: outdoor adventures include hiking, wildlife spotting, fishing and hunting and both scientists and tourists use it as a gateway to the inland ice sheet.
Extreme Nature
Kangerlussuaq is an ideal location to see and experience climate change first hand due to its visible impact on the surrounding nature. In a country where there are no roads that connect towns, it’s pretty impressive that you can drive all the way to Russell Glacier and the Greenland Ice Sheet from the town centre!
Extreme Electric Lights
Kangerlussuaq is 67 degrees north and sits directly on the invisible aurora belt. Due to its location and stable climate conditions, Kangerlussuaq competes with the best places in the world to see the dark sky light up in an electrifying light show – the wondrous Northern Lights. Since northern lights begin appearing from late August, continuing to late April, there is a high chance for a night show during Extreme E!
Extreme Silence
If you think electric SUVs are silent, you will discover yet another level of quietness in Greenland – extreme silence! Set among stunning blue waterways, glaciers and mountainous fjords, it’s so easy to experience the silence of Greenland by hiking, driving or dog sledding into nature. Once you get out of town, the only sounds are natural ones. The call of caribou, a glacier calving, the rustle of the wind.
Extreme Knowledge
Navigating the terrain and weather is part of the everyday and the people of Greenland learn innately about the Arctic, climate change and nature simply by being present. It means that the people of Kangerlussuaq are natural beings, living and adapting everyday to their stunning surroundings.
Extreme testing
Kangerlussuaq has a history of being a test centre, particularly for motor vehicles. It has been a test centre for Volkswagen and BMW – because if something can function well in the extreme climatic conditions of Greenland, it can function well in most other places on the planet.
Climate change in Greenland
Greenland is the hot spot for climate change – and you can find out why below.
- The guide to climate change in Greenland
- The people must adapt to climate change: 360° Dogsledding Tour in East Greenland
- A place for disseminating knowledge: Ilulissat Icefjord centre opens in July 2021
Because of its accessibility to the melting ice sheet, Kangerlussuaq is also a science knowledge hub. The community is therefore a provider of scientific services.
Goal: The Green Greenland
Greenland is a country focused on improving its carbon footprint – which is of course a different type of challenge when your country is an island nation tasked with bearing the Greenland ice sheet in its centre. Our extreme climatic conditions mean that we cannot grow organic produce in most of Greenland; basically everything is imported; and that our tiny population of 57,000 residents inhabit only the outskirts of the island scattered in small communities.
Visit Greenland identifies four Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the tourism industry can directly impact. These are: quality education (4), decent work and economic growth (8), responsible consumption and production (12) and partnerships for the goals (17). There are many ways of doing this, but focusing on the pristine environment, local development and finding the right balance between the cultural practises of the past while heading towards the future is a primary goal.
For the geeks: read a more formal and detailed mapping about sustainability in Greenland (DK only). Here is also how we suggest our local tourism industry to be more sustainable.
In 2007, the largest GLOF or jökulhlaup on record at Russell Glacier occurred where approximately 39.1 million m3 of water was released from the glacier over the course of 17 hours. This equates to over 15,000 Olympic swimming pools, with outflow discharge averaging at around a quarter of an Olympic swimming pool per second.
Fun Facts
Behind the Scenes of Extreme E
- Extreme E will be an innovative spectatorless event.
- Still, 700 pax will be coming to Extreme E. This includes race organisers, VIPs and the invited press. This is more than the population of Kangerlussuaq.
- An Internet connection will be set up for the first time along the sandbanks of Russell Glacier. Organisers work with Tele-Greenland on a solution to provide a connected solution.
- Extreme E’s floating centrepiece and base, St. Helena, is used to transport the championship’s freight and infrastructure, including vehicles, to Kangerlussuaq. This minimises Extreme E’s emissions profile and facilitates scientific research through an onboard laboratory.
Useful Links:
For media enquiries, contact Tanny Por tanny@visitgreenland.com
A Long Lasting Footprint
Together with the following partners, Extreme E aims to leave a long-lasting legacy in Greenland supporting the fight against climate change. These partnerships include but are not limited to:
