No Laughing Matter?

Colorado Public Radio
March 3, 2017

Climate Change is no laughing matter -- unless it is. That's the premise for a show, "Stand Up for Climate: An Experiment with Creative Climate Comedy," which takes place March 17th at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Organizers say the event will feature  "a range of comedic approaches, including stand-up comedy, sketch and situational comedy, and improv..."  with the idea of bringing a different perspective to the subject. There's also a short-video competition, like the one above. which won last year's contest. This year, entries have come from as far away as England; the winning video will be aired during the show.

Co-producer Beth Osnes, an associate professor and director of graduate studies in CU's theater department,  says comedy is "inherently risky," and admits the show may not resonate with everyone in the audience. But she adds that the traditional, science-first, take on climate change isn't the only way to reach people, and a comedic approach may lead to new avenues of engagement.

Osnes and Max Boykoff,  an assistant professor in the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, spoke with Colorado Matters host Nathan Heffel.