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Location -

The island of Tuvalu sits in the Pacific Ocean, around halfway between Hawaii and Australia. It is comprised of nine small coral islands scattered over a distance of around 420 miles (676 km).

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Looming threat -

Like many small islands the world over, Tuvalu is under serious threat of disappearing due to climate change.

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The impact of climate change -

A combination of rising sea levels, increased flooding, saltwater intrusions, heatwaves, and intensified cyclones has meant that many Tuvaluans are fearing for the future of their beautiful home.

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Timeline -

Indeed, according to a recent assessment by researchers at NASA, most of Tuvalu’s land, including its critical infrastructure, will sit below the level of the current high tide by 2050.

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Flooding -

The country is also predicted to experience more than 100 days of flooding per year by the end of this century.

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The government's response -

In response to this threat, the government has adopted a pioneering approach and has started moving its country to the metaverse.

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Unveiling the plans -

The plan to create a digital copy of Tuvalu was first announced by the island’s minister of foreign affairs, Simon Kofe, at the COP27 summit in Egypt in 2022.

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The announcement -

In the clip, Kofe is standing on a white sand beach on Te Afualiku, the Tuvaluan island expecting to be lost first to the consequences of climate change.

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The videoclip -

As the camera zooms out, the image starts to glitch. The rocks and sand move unnaturally, and a seabird flies across the black abyss in the background.

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Virtual reconstruction -

All this is to indicate to the viewer that they are not watching a Tuvaluan landscape, but rather a virtual reconstruction of the same.

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The purpose of the initiative -

According to the Tuvaluan government, the digital twin initiative serves two main purposes. Firstly, there is the preservation of culture.

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Preservation of culture -

It is hoped that by creating a virtual replica of the island, its citizens will still have access to their cultural heritage in years to come and be able to pass it down through the generations.

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Choosing the objects -

As part of the project, inhabitants of Tuvalu have been asked to provide some of their most valued possessions and memories of the island for digitalization.

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Practical purpose -

The Tuvaluan government is keen to emphasize, however, that the plan also serves a practical purpose. Of course, it does not provide a physical island where the people of Tuvalu can actually live.

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Preserving sovereignty -

However, it may enable the island to preserve its sovereignty. As it stands, international law does not provide any protection for the sovereignty of disappearing states.

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Definition of a sovereign state -

Indeed, according to international law, a sovereign state must have both a clearly defined territory and a permanent population. This is problematic for small island states that are losing their land mass.

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Digital passports -

As part of their plan to digitalize the island, the government is introducing digital passports, which will be stored on the blockchain and help the government continue to function.

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State functions -

The idea with the passports is that they will perform several state functions, such as holding elections and referendums, as well as registering births, deaths, and marriages.

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Redefining statehood -

By demonstrating that a state can function digitally, the government of Tuvalu hopes to convince international lawmakers that they should introduce a new model for statehood.

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New and improved model -

The idea is that the new model for statehood will be much better equipped to meet the needs and requirements of modern sovereign states.

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Criticisms -

Despite its honorable intentions, the government of Tuvalu has faced criticism of the digital twin initiative, even from within its own ranks.

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Not appropriate -

On the one hand, some have complained that such digitalization doesn’t really make sense for a country that is currently still quite disconnected from the digital world.

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'PR strategy' -

It is not uncommon for those critics to suggest that the initiative is more of a PR tactic aimed at attracting international attention than it is a genuine attempt at cultural preservation.

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Population displacement -

There are also critics for whom the plan represents denial on behalf of the government about the eventual inevitable displacement of the population.

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The reality -

Of course, if the island of Tuvalu really is underwater by 2050, the inhabitants will need somewhere to go.

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Other plans -

However, it is important to note that the digital twin initiative is not the government’s only response to the threat from climate change. In fact, it has already started making plans for the eventual displacement of the population.

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Treaty with Australia -

For example, in 2023 it signed a treaty with Australia that will allow 280 Tuvaluans per year to migrate to Australia. According to the treaty, those newcomers to Australia will have the right to work, study, and ultimately get on the track to Australian citizenship.

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Multi-factor approach -

It seems fair to say, then, that while the digital twin initiative does not offer a comprehensive solution to the problem, it certainly has merit. It may offer a great way to preserve cultural heritage and redefine the concept of statehood. And there is nothing to say it can't be pursued in parallel with other, more practical initiatives.  

Sources: (BBC) (Firstpost)

See also: Cities that will be least impacted by climate change

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