Countries existing only in the metaverse? Is this the future that awaits us?

In Tuvalu, located between Australia and Hawaii, 12 thousand people live. Up to 40% of the capital is submerged at high tide, and the entire country is expected to be underwater by the end of the century.

Tuvalu's Minister of Justice, Communication and Foreign Affairs, Simon Kofe, announced the initiative in his address to leaders at the 27th World Climate Conference (COP27). The Tuvalu version in metaverse would help preserve the immense heritage of the local people.

What is the metaverse?

You may have already read, heard, or seen this term somewhere. But do you know what it means? And more: do you know how to be part of this new reality? The metaverse is part of the new era of the internet in the world. Its main proposal is to create digital environments – as if they were worlds – that are different and accessible to all web users around the planet. In short, with just a device connected to the internet, you can immerse yourself in a realistic and interactive environment, parallel to real life. The idea is that you can have fun, work, study and even buy and sell in the metaverse.

One of the consequences of global warming is the rise in sea level, which occurs due to the melting of glaciers. This can result in the flooding and submersion of coastal areas, causing a lot of damage to people living in these areas.

If Tuvalu is flooded by water, it could be the first nation to exist solely in cyberspace. “But if global warming continues unchecked, it will not be the last,” warned the minister.

Simon Kofe suggests that 3 aspects of Tuvaluan nationality could be recreated in metaverse:

1. Territory: the natural beauty of Tuvalu would be portrayed, with beautiful beaches, native vegetation and tourist attractions that can be visited digitally;
2. Culture: the ability of the Tuvaluan people to interact with each other in ways that preserve their shared language, norms and customs, wherever they are;
3. Sovereignty: If there is a loss of physical land, the virtual land could become an area under the command of the Tuvalu government.

Could Tuvalu fully function as a “sovereign state” existing only in metaverse? Faced with the real threats caused by climate change, how will international law adapt to this new reality?

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How do I join the metaverse?

Since last year, when Mark Zuckerberg announced billion-dollar investments in the metaverse, all eyes on technology have turned to a possible new era of the internet. Since then, in addition to the owner of Meta – controller of Facebook and Instagram – other strong names in the sector have dived headlong into the Web 3.0 bet. But not everyone has yet understood the dimension of this new proposed universe, so if you parachuted here and still wonder what the metaverse is, understand in a practical and quick way how to access the infinite worlds that the internet proposes.