Tuvalu's Last Stand: Digital Twin Aims to Preserve Nation's Land, Culture in Wake of Climate Change
NANUATUA (ALARIYAN.COM) - In a bold move to preserve its land, culture, and sovereignty, the Government of Tuvalu has unveiled a digital backup plan for its islands, houses, trees, and more, as part of its "Future Now" project.
The ambitious initiative aims to create a virtual replica of the nine coral islands, Tuvalu's critical infrastructure, and even its citizens' personal memories and stories. The move follows warnings from scientists that the country will experience over 100 days of flooding each year by the end of this century if global temperatures exceed a 1.5°C threshold.
According to Foreign Minister Simon Kofe, "Our land, our ocean, our culture are the most precious assets of our people - and to keep them safe from harm, no matter what happens with sea level rise, we have made a decision to create a digital nation of Tuvalu in the metaverse."
However, not everyone agrees with the plan. Former Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga, now the leader of the opposition, has questioned the concept, saying there is "no basis of such proposition in international law" and no reason to believe that Tuvalu will disappear even with sea level rise.
While some critics consider the initiative impractical for a relatively disconnected country like Tuvalu, others argue it's more than just a PR move aimed at attracting international attention. The government has invested millions in land reclamation through a coastal adaptation project, creating flood-free land and protective barriers on outer islands.
The effort is driven by Tuvaluans themselves, led by climate activist Grace Malie, who says, "We've done the least to cause the crisis, but we're paying the highest price. It's not just our homes at stake; it's our dignity, culture, heritage. We can't pack that into suitcases and take with us. We'll continue the fight for our land."
The government is also taking concrete steps to connect with the digital world. A 3D scan of all its islands and islets has been completed using Lidar technology, while a global non-profit organization, Place, is mapping Funafuti, Tuvalu's capital, using drones and 360-degree cameras.
As Tuvalu pushes Australia and other nations to reduce fossil fuel extraction and exports, the country sees this digital plan as another strategy in its fight against climate change. "Planning for multiple scenarios – best-case and worst-case, and everything in between – is sensible when it comes to risk management," says Taukiei Kitara, a Tuvaluan research fellow at Griffith University.
Will this digital twin be enough to safeguard the future of Tuvalu? Only time will tell.