Why are the natives of Greenland dark?

[Anonymous]

If being blonde is an advatage in terms of cold weather and climate, why are the natives of Greenland dark?

[kaylaS91]

Long ago, when early humans started migrating north into Europe and Asia, there was a huge amount of variance regarding how much exposure to the sun they would get. Those who went north found their dark skin worked against them for the mostpart, as due to the colder temperatures, they got next to no sun-exposure. Which in turn prevented them from absorbing enough sunlight to create vitamin D. To adapt, these humans started producing less melanin to protect them from the sun's damaging rays (UV) as well as benefits (vitamin D).

But the vitamin D-intake of Natives, applicable to those from northern Canada as well as Greenland, wasn’t dependent upon the sun. They get all that they need from their diet, which a large portion of consists of fatty fish that are naturally rich in vitamin D. The large amounts of vitamin D obtained from this fish prevented them from developing less melanin.

(tldr- Everyone used to be darker after evolution resulted in the loss of a thicker covering of bodyhair. Once some races, due to environmental/economical reasons began to spend more time indoors and outside of the sun's exposure, different needs for UV protection led to differing levels of melanin. In Greenland and places as far north as that, sun exposure still leads to incredibly high levels of UV. Way higher than the States and any of the provinces in Canada will get. So the higher melanin levels remained as a protective mechanism for those few hours that once (probably not so much anymore) had to be spent outdoors to fish and shit.)

[MissSakura]

cold weather also can make a person dark

[Asker]

How?

[Anonymous]

The inuit another artic people invaded