Facing the reality of sea level rise, Tuvalu is creating a digital replica of its islands, preserving its land, culture and statehood in the metaverse as climate change threatens to make the nation uninhabitable.Sophie Yeo reports for the BBC.In short:Tuvalu’s “Digital Nation” project aims to preserve its geography and culture by creating a virtual twin of the islands, including digital passports to maintain sovereignty if its physical landmass disappears.Rising sea levels, intensified by global temperatures surpassing the critical 1.5°C threshold, threaten Tuvalu’s habitability, with much of the land projected to be below high tide by 2050.The initiative, part of a broader climate adaptation strategy, includes mapping the islands in 3D and installing undersea cables to enhance digital connectivity, serving as both preservation and a call for global climate action.Key quote:”It’s our dignity, our culture, our heritage. It is not something we can pack into suitcases and take with us.” – Grace Malie, climate activistWhy this matters:Tuvalu is writing its own elegy, pixel by pixel and while this virtual venture exemplifies the heartbreak of climate change, it’s also a defiant call to action. Read more: Scientists probe ancient history of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet and find unsettling news about sea level rise.
Tuvalu builds a virtual future as rising seas threaten its existence
