More or Less How close is Greenland to the United States?
59 snips
Jan 21, 2026 
In this fascinating discussion, guests Jay Foreman, a comedic map YouTuber, and Tom Colls, an investigative reporter, delve into some surprising geographical truths. Jay reveals that Greenland is approximately 1,200 miles from the US, debunking the 300-mile myth stemming from misleading map projections. Tom breaks down the staggering £7.6 trillion net zero cost claim, clarifying it as total energy system spending rather than a direct expenditure. The conversation also touches on fluctuating UK house prices and the strategic math behind the game The Traitors.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Greenland Is Not Just 300 Miles Away
- Greenland is much farther from the nearest US coast than some reports suggested, roughly 1,200 miles from Maine and about 1,300 miles from Alaska.
- Map projections like Mercator distort high latitudes, misleading perceptions of Greenland's size and proximity.
Mercator Maps Mislead Size And Distance
- The Mercator projection stretches regions near the poles, making Greenland look much larger relative to places like Africa or India.
- Viewing a globe or alternative projections reveals Greenland's true size and its central Arctic strategic position.
Don't Confuse Gross System Cost With Net Cost
- Do not treat a gross total like the additional cost of net zero; gross figures add all spending in a scenario.
- Compare scenarios (net zero vs no-policy) to estimate real incremental costs rather than citing the £7.6 trillion gross number alone.
