No Joke: Unveiling the Urgency of Climate Change
Climate scientist Bill McGuire explains the captivating influence of comedy in raising awareness about climate change and humorously dissects the farcical nature of COP28, highlighting why it failed to address the urgency of the crisis
Bill McGuire, Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards at University College London and author of "Hothouse Earth: An Inhabitants Guide," shares his views on climate change denial in this opinion piece for CNN.
A: What are you talking about, the bulb is fine.
 Bill McGuire
Courtesy Bill McGuire
Despite the disappointment following COP28, it is crucial to find humor in the face of climate change. We were hoping for a definitive pledge to reduce emissions by 50% within six years at the climate summit in Dubai, in order to prevent the global average temperature from rising more than 1.5°C and avoiding widespread climate breakdown.
The intention to move away from fossil fuels was vague, with no timeline or roadmap. It was the type of outcome that would normally elicit a chuckle and a shake of the head in disbelief. However, chuckling is a healthy response, especially in the midst of bleak circumstances.
Comedy and humor have always been reliable ways of dealing with tough times. They can help to alleviate stress, divert the mind from current problems, and improve overall well-being, all of which are especially needed now.
During World War II, humor was used to mock Hitler and portray him as a source of ridicule, transforming him in the public's eyes from a terrifying monster to a laughable figure; from someone to be dreaded to someone who could be defeated. Those enduring the devastating nightly bombing of British cities in 1940 and 1941 fought back in the only way they could - with laughter. The so-called "Blitz spirit" relied on a healthy dose of dark humor, which I am confident still plays a crucial role in boosting morale today, in war-torn areas like Ukraine.
United Arab Emirates Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, addresses the media at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on December 4, 2023.
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During challenging times, people often turn to humor and clever remarks. This is because if we don't laugh, we may find ourselves in despair, leading to a difficult situation. As civilization is confronted with a threat greater than any war fought, and the results of the latest climate conference offer limited hope, we must not only remember this but also actively embrace it as a tool in our fight for a better future for our descendants.
Weaponized comedy has the potential to do more than just bring joy - it can educate people about climate change and encourage action. Fortunately, this is already happening. Comedy has a unique ability to engage people in the climate change conversation and effectively convey the message in ways that other approaches cannot.
This is why ventures like "Climate Science Translated," in which I participated earlier this year, are incredibly important. The British-based project, brainchild of ethical insurer Nick Oldridge and the climate communications outfit Utopia Bureau, pairs climate scientists with comedians. Together, they translate complex scientific concepts into bite-sized, humorous, and irreverent chunks that are easily understood and appreciated by all. Four film shorts have been produced, all of which can be viewed on YouTube, with the first featuring myself and the talented comedian and actor, Kiri Pritchard-McLean.
Trust me, we are downplaying significant potential risks and tipping points. Or, to put it in Kiri's words: "Even the wildest predictions aren't wild enough. You thought it was bad, well it's much worse than that." As Kiri astutely points out: "When comedians are assisting scientists, you know things are not going well."
In other places, several stand-up comedians have created acts focused on global warming and climate change, including the talented Lara Ricote, who received the best newcomer award at the renowned British comedy festival, Edinburgh Fringe, in 2022. Another example is Stuart Goldsmith's climate-focused routine "Spoilers," which premiered at this year's festival.
Furthermore, there is a "Sustainable Stand-up" course designed to educate aspiring comedians on addressing climate and social issues in their performances. This course has been offered in 11 different countries.
In the US, the Climate Comedy Cohort unites comedians to create new routines based on the latest climate science and perform in live shows and short-form videos. Climate professionals like Dr. Matt Winning, a Scotsman with a PhD in climate policy, are even using stand-up comedy to convey their message. As the climate crisis worsens, it is evident that more action is required.
Ian Berry/CNN
I have decided not to have children for the following reasons. The recent climate conference in the United Arab Emirates, attended by over 80,000 delegates and 2,400 from the fossil fuel sector, has just proven to be the world's biggest climate joke.
After nearly three decades of climate COPs, emissions have not been reduced, and concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere continue to climb. The UK Met Office has predicted that the global average temperature rise could reach 1.5°C next year, yet the final communique of COP28 is still discussing how to avoid a permanent rise above this critical threshold without showing a clear plan for doing so.
COP28 was always expected to be somewhat of a comedy show, one that even the most skilled comic writers would find difficult to make up. Held in a major petrostate, whose substantial wealth depends on fossil fuel extraction and has no intention of reducing carbon dioxide emissions resulting from burning them, the conference was overseen by the head of the country's national oil company.
Leaked papers revealed that the UAE intended to seize the opportunity of the meeting to establish new oil and gas deals. Halfway through the event, the COP president vehemently defended fossil fuels, warning against abandoning them as it would regress humanity to living in caves. The situation elicits a cynical laugh, but quickly turns into despair. Adding to the irony, next year's COP29 will be hosted by Azerbaijan, another major oil producer.
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Let's encourage more comedians to incorporate the climate emergency into their shows, including big names like Bill Bailey, Lee Mack, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Jack Dee, and others. This is everyone's world, after all.
And why not a climate sit-com? "Last of the Summer Heatwave," or "Only Fools and Climate Scientists," perhaps? It's about time for it.
I know"Third Overheating Rock from the Sun."
