Comedy’s Role in Tackling Climate Change: Laughter and Hope Amidst a Global Crisis

How can you make people laugh about something as serious as Climate change? Enter a new wave of comedians and comedy programs using humor to address the climate crisis in their work. Atlanta-based comic David Perdue is among nine comedians who participated in a nine-month fellowship called the Climate Comedy Cohort, where they learned about climate science and solutions while collaborating on new climate-related material.

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These comedians produced shorts, toured together, and pitched ideas to television networks as part of a larger effort to lighten the mood around Climate change, a topic that is increasingly present in our everyday lives. Perdue uses comedy to incorporate race into the conversation about sustainability and clean energy, saying in one of his sets, “Solar power is free labor, and the most American thing to do is to use free labor. We just have to tell people the sun is Black.”

Comedy may help combat climate doom and boost civic engagement, according to social scientists. Caty Borum, a professor at American University and author of “The Revolution Will Be Hilarious: Comedy for Social Change and Civic Power,” says comedy can inspire feelings of hope and optimism, even when discussing heavy topics like Climate change.

Comedians and comedy shows are increasingly addressing the climate crisis in their acts, from Michelle Wolf’s HBO special to Kal Penn’s new Bloomberg show, “Getting Warmer,” which focuses on climate technology and solutions with a humorous touch. This unique approach can open people up to discussing Climate change, even though many Americans may not feel comfortable discussing the issue with neighbors or coworkers.

According to a study by Boykoff and Osnes at the University of Colorado Boulder, using comedy to address Climate change can increase hope and commitment to taking action. At the end of their creative climate communication course, 90% of students felt more hopeful about Climate change, and 83% believed their commitment to taking action would be more likely to last.

As a sustainability blog reader, we encourage you to engage in conversations about Climate change and use humor as a way to break through the taboo. Laughter can be a powerful tool for change and can make even the most serious topics more approachable. By raising awareness and advocating for better climate policies, we can contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future for all. Let’s share a laugh and work together to make a difference in the world!

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