What will happen to the legal status of ‘sinking’ nations when their land is gone? The legal future of sinking islands remains uncertain, and their way of life, identity, and culture hangs in the balance. Tuvalu may become the first nation in the metaverse - an online realm that uses augmented and virtual reality (VR) to help users interact - but it isn't the only one seeking digital solutions to operate in emergencies and to preserve heritage. Image: United Nations Development Programme, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Flickr.