The Morning After: Tuvalu, Threatened By Climate Change, Turns To The Metaverse

Speaking at the COP27 Climate Summit yesterday, Tuvalu's Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Coffey said Tuvalu will explore the true meaning of preserving its culture and history. The Pacific island nation is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, with global temperatures projected to rise by 2.8°C by the end of the century. At the COP26 summit last year, Coffey spoke about deep sea waters to conference attendees to highlight the threat of climate change. Climate scientists predict that the entire country will be under water by the end of the 21st century.

Speaking at the Climate Summit, Coffey said: “Our country is on the verge of disappearing, and we have no choice but to become the world’s first digital nation. Our land, our oceans, and our culture are our people’s most valuable assets. Whatever happens in the physical world to keep them safe, we will bring them to the cloud.”

The world has eight years to achieve the 1.5°C target proposed in the Paris agreement, which would reduce annual global emissions by an additional 45% compared to projections based on current policies.

- Matt Smith

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