The Pacific nation of Tuvalu plans to create a version of itself in the metaverse, as a response to the existential threat of rising sea levels.

Tuvalu’s Minister of Justice, Communications and Foreign Affairs, Simon Kofe, made the announcement via a chilling digital message to leaders at COP27.

He said the plan, which represents the “worst case,” involves creating a digital twin of Tuvalu in the metaverse to replicate its beautiful islands and preserve its rich culture:

The tragedy of this outcome cannot be overstated. […] Tuvalu might be the first country in the world to exist solely in cyberspace, but if global warming continues unchecked, it won’t be the last.

The idea is that the metaverse could allow Tuvalu to “fully function as a sovereign state” as…