Rising Sea Levels Force Tuvalu to Become the First Metaverse Country

In a dramatic illustration of the possibility that it could disappear in the next few decades due to rising sea levels, the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu has teamed with global creative agency The Monkeys, part of Accenture Song, and Collider to co-create the beginnings of a Digital Nation starting with a digital twin of one of its islands.

During a three-minute address at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), Simon Kofe, the minister of justice, communication & foreign affairs of Tuvalu, announced that due to the ongoing effects of climate change, Tuvalu may eventually be forced to move its country entirely online. Kofe provided an example of what that could look like when, during his speech, it was slowly revealed that he was delivering it from a digital islet in the metaverse.

The address signals the beginning of a continuing project to catalogue, map, record and save as much of Tuvaluan island life as possible—including historical documents, records of cultural practices, family albums and traditional song—in the metaverse.

“The tragedy of this outcome cannot be overstated,” said minister Kofe in his address. “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 Monkeys also helped Tuvalu create a dedicated website where visitors can help show support for the country’s future.

Tara Ford, chief creative officer of The Monkeys, said, “This is such an important project and collaboration, and one where digital transformation and storytelling sit at the heart. It’s an ongoing undertaking, signaling a new and sobering chapter of a world facing the realities of climate change.”

This important message was communicated to media outlets around the world by Thrive PR, rallying the public to show their support.

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Agency / Creative

Company name: The Monkeys, part of Accenture Song

Creative: The Monkeys, part of Accenture Song

Chief Executive Officer: Mark Green

Chief Creative Officer: Scott Nowell

General Manager: Kezia Quinn

Chief Creative Officer: Tara Ford

Executive Creative Director: Barbara Humphries

Innovation Director: Beth O’Brien

Creative Director: Cameron Bell

Creative Director: Sam Dickson

Art Director: Alex Polglase

Copywriter: Jake Ausburn

Head of Production: Penny Brown

Digital Producer: Tamara Wohl

Digital Producer: Eva Godeny

Head of Planning: Hugh Munro

Production

Company name: Collider

Director: Glenn Stewart

Executive Producer: Karen Bryson

Managing Director: Rachael Ford-Davies

Post Production / VFX

Company name: Collider Studio

3D Animation: Glenn Stewart

VFX Artist: Joseph Harper

Colourist: Matt Fezz

PR

Company name: Thrive

Chief Executive Officer: Leilani Abels

Account Director: Nathan McGregor

Account Manager: Tess McDonald

Account Manager: Anna Laskaris

Account Executive: Maddy Beck

Account Director: Sarah Nguyen

Account Director: Sophie Thomason

Music / Sound

Company name: MassiveMusic

Creative Director: Ryan Dickinson

Composer: Haydn Walker

Sound Designer: Simon Kane

Executive Producer: Katrina Aquilia

The Monkeys, Mon, 21 Nov 2022 03:46:09 GMT