Preserving Tuvalu: Memorializing an Island Nation
Following up on his waist-deep in the rising sea address to COP26, Tuvalu’s foreign minister, Simon Kofe announced his nation’s plans to create a digital copy of the country for preservation through the Metaverse. Tuvalu comprises just three islands and six atolls, all of which are expected to be submerged completely by 2100 due to climate change. While partially an attention grabbing stunt for COP27, this plan of preserving the country’s lands and culture in a virtual environment does underscore the loss of many low-lying territories that rising tides will bring.
Assignment Idea: Home in the Cloud
Description
A sense of belonging through a shared experience of place is often the most poignant desire for those that have left their home, whether by choice or by unwanted circumstances. For climate migrants, this longing is already present – and stands to become a dominant theme of the mid-21st Century. Not just small or developing world countries are at risk: established, post-industrial nations like the United States are likely to see mass migration due to disappearing coastal conurbations.
The idea of a virtual land in the Metaverse is certainly a compelling concept, but it’s often the interactions and interpersonal relationships that make for “home”. With this in mind, how might you imagine the migrants of the climate crisis carrying forward their traditions, their memories of home and their shared identity? What kinds of activities might take place in the digital copy and how might these activities interact with the physical world the migrant now inhabits?
Subject Areas
English (Creative Writing), Geosciences and Humanities & Language
Deliverables
- identify a location susceptible to catastrophic flooding by using online sea level rise maps from NOAA or Surging Sea
- research three cultural artifacts associated with this location
- find video or other media evidencing these cultural artifacts
- write a three paragraph story imagining how these cultural artifacts could continue to be created and enjoyed by the former inhabitants of this location
- brainstorm an itinerary for gathering or celebration of this location’s culture that includes migrants’ new community (optional)
- share your findings and creative writing via Adobe Express