The first time I watched the video for this segment, I really thought and hoped and prayed that it was a skit of some sort or that it wasn’t true and that this was all part of some sick joke that Tuvalu was a part of.
It turns out that it wasn’t.
Four Sky News Celebrities gathered around a table during the King’s coronation and, on live TV, decided to poke fun at the fact that Tuvalu was “sinking.”
Oops by a Sky News celebrity panel regarding Tuvalu. Stunning.
No Further Comment. pic.twitter.com/8QpR5Yv5KY
— irGwyn (@irGwyn) May 6, 2023
This prompted Australian-British author, Kathy Lette, to interrupt her and say,
“Tuvalu? Yeah well they’re about to go underwater. Put the snorkels on!”
Right after saying that, she does like a little wave to mimic a cultural dance and the rest of the panel just continues laughing.
The short clip actually caught the attention of the Tuvalu Foreign Minister who responded on Twitter by saying,
“How can anyone find humour in the potential loss of entire countries and cultures due to climate change?
It’s beyond comprehension and completely unacceptable. We must call out this behaviour and hold those responsible accountable for their ignorance.”
How can anyone find humor in the potential loss of entire countries and cultures due to climate change? It’s beyond comprehension and completely unacceptable. We must call out this behavior and hold those responsible accountable for their ignorance. https://t.co/C9FcnoM32v
— Simon Kofe (@Simon_Kofe) May 7, 2023
Pacific Islanders as well as non-Pacific Islanders have all expressed how disgusted they are with Kathy’s words and actions. Twitter right now is just a bucket full of people that are calling Kathy out for her ignorance, and privilege, and not using her platform for good.
Just goes to show, you can have all the excess and access in the world and still be stupid. https://t.co/TD8K8NrCQ3
— Jone Tuiipelehaki (He/him/his) (@tuiipelehaki) May 8, 2023
Wow!
Tuvalu… “about to go under water. Let’s hope they’ve got their snorkels on”
Cue laughter…Tuvalu faces an existential threat. This panel member thinks that’s funny. Shameful that @SkyNews allowed this to be broadcast https://t.co/UA6RoQBKpn
— LawyersAreResponsible (@LawyersAreResp) May 8, 2023
🤯 Imagine traveling for 2 days over 15,000km just to support the king/coronation… and then turning on the TV to see this discussion about your own country #Tuvalu https://t.co/SWTqoy55nD
— Josephine Latu-Sanft (@JoLatuSanft) May 8, 2023
The dry attempt for humor and sarcasm ends up making fools out of you. Educate yourself with realities and facts than speak or “better remain silent and thought a fool than speak and remove all doubts.” #CallThemOut. https://t.co/Z6JC2eJcrh
— R.B.Nayacalevu 🇫🇯 (@rnayacalevu) May 7, 2023