Is it okay to laugh about the climate crisis? - On humour, climate anxiety, and staying engaged

Can humour help people engage with the climate crisis, or does it risk making light of one of the defining challenges of our time? In this episode of Matters of Consequence, Michael Hanf speaks with stand-up comedian and climate comedian Stuart Goldsmith about the unexpected role laughter can play in conversations about climate change. Together, they explore whether humour can lower barriers, create connection, and reach audiences that facts, fear, and urgency often fail to reach.Drawing on more than two decades as a professional comedian and host of The Comedian's Comedian podcast, Stuart reflects on how climate anxiety gradually found its way into his material and transformed the way he thinks about comedy. He explains why humour is not about making the climate crisis seem less serious, but about helping people stay with difficult emotions long enough to keep acting. The conversation also explores hypocrisy, perfectionism, burnout, and why waiting until we have all the answers can become a reason to stay silent.Why listen?Explore whether humour has a legitimate place in conversations about climate change and sustainability.Understand how comedy can help people engage with difficult topics without dismissing their seriousness.Discover why perfectionism and fear of hypocrisy often prevent people from speaking up or taking action.Learn how climate anxiety, burnout, and emotional fatigue influence the way we communicate about environmental issues.Reflect on the relationship between responsibility, action, and accepting that none of us gets it completely right.Whether you work in sustainability, climate communication, leadership, education, or simply wonder how to have more constructive conversations about climate change, this episode offers a thoughtful perspective on the role humour can play in helping people stay engaged rather than turning away.Keywords: climate change, climate crisis, climate anxiety, climate communication, climate comedy, environmental communication, sustainability, humour, comedy, eco anxiety, burnout, responsibility, hypocrisy, perfectionism, climate action, behavioural change, public engagement, Stuart Goldsmith, Matters of Consequence podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.