Palau Hosts World’s First Live Underwater Interview

In a groundbreaking moment, Palau’s President, Surangel Whipps Jr., made history by conducting a live underwater interview right beneath the Pacific Ocean.  This innovative broadcast utilized Li-Fi technology, which sends data through light instead of the usual radio waves. The event aimed to raise awareness about ocean conservation and climate threats facing Palau, a Pacific island nation of about 18,000 people. Rising sea levels, coral bleaching, and stronger storms are endangering its coasts. The interview joins similar climate appeals made by leaders from the Maldives, Seychelles, and Tuvalu, highlighting the growing risks for island nations.

Key highlights of the interview

• The interview was conducted underwater, with the President and marine activist Merle Liivand exchanging remarks in real time.
• Li-Fi technology used in this interview. Li-Fi sends data through light instead of the usual radio waves
• Through this powerful medium, the leadership of Palau underscored the urgency of protecting marine ecosystems, addressing coral bleaching, sea-level rise, and climate impacts disproportionately affecting Pacific island states.

Palau is an archipelago of around 340 islands east of the Philippines and is extremely vulnerable to rising seas.