How Tuvalu might turn into the primary nation to exist solely within the metaverse
The climate crisis is creating an increasingly uncertain future for people in most parts of the world. For the people of Tuvalu, a group of nine tiny islands in the South Pacific, rising sea levels could see their homeland disappear altogether in the next few decades.
Tuvalu’s Minister of Justice, Communication & Foreign Affairs, Simon Kofe, addressed these issues head on recently during a three-minute video address at the UN Climate Change Conference (Cop27).
In the video, he reveals how the country is taking matters into its own hands by, quite literally, becoming a ‘digital nation’, as part of a campaign created in collaboration with Accenture Song agency The Monkeys and production company Collider.
During his speech, Kofe offers an insight into what the digital version of Tuvalu could look like, as the video gradually reveals that he is delivering the speech from an islet in the metaverse.
“The tragedy of this outcome cannot be overstated,” he says. “But because the world has not acted, we must. Tuvalu could be the first country in the world to exist solely in the metaverse – but if global warming continues unchecked, it won’t be the last.”
The unveiling of the digital twin of one of Tuvalu’s islands marks the beginning of an ongoing project to catalogue, map, record and save as much of Tuvaluan island life as possible – including historical documents, records of cultural practices and family albums. The Monkeys also created a dedicated website where visitors can learn how to show their support for the country’s future.
Credits:
Agency: The Monkeys, part of Accenture Song
Co-Founder & Group Chief Creative Officer: Scott Nowell
Chief Creative Officer: Tara Ford
Executive Creative Director: Barbara Humphries
Creative Directors: Cameron Bell, Sam Dickson
Senior Art Director: Alex Polglase
Senior Copywriter: Jake Ausburn
Digital Design Lead: Eva Godeny
Production House: Collider
Director: Glenn Stewart
Post Production: Collider Studio
3D Animation: Glenn Stewart
Additional VFX: Joseph Harper
Music and Sound: MassiveMusic