This blog was written by Generation180’s Comedian-in-Residence, Esteban Gast. Esteban is one of the leading voices using comedy to communicate about climate change, and he recently appeared on the Los Angeles Times’ podcast Boiling Point. If this article piques your interest and you’d like to hear more of Esteban’s thoughts on finding humor in the face of climate change, listen to the full podcast episode here.
I’m well aware it’s not a typical response. But, I can’t help it. It’s like a compulsion. After every article I read on the latest climate news, I take a deep breath and then try to write a joke. I jot down words and ideas like an impassioned-90s-tv-journalist trying to find an angle, a point-of-view, something, anything that could turn into a joke to possibly bring levity to such heaviness.
Comedy is storytelling. And, here’s the thing that the folks in the White House with their disregard for pesky things like “science” and “facts” must realize —clean energy is the story of the future, whether or not it has support at the federal level.
Comedy is storytelling. And, here’s the thing that the folks in the White House with their disregard for pesky things like “science” and “facts” must realize —clean energy is the story of the future, whether or not it has support at the federal level.
I’ve felt the impacts of climate change firsthand. When the wildfires hit California, it wasn’t just a news story—it was personal. And yet, just days later, I found myself on stage, doing a comedy show. At first, I questioned whether humor had a place in such a serious moment. But then I realized: not bringing humor into the conversation gives tragedy more power. Also, as a comedian, you literally never say no to stage time in LA.
Comedy helps us process. It helps us cope. It cuts through the noise and gets people to pay attention in ways that traditional rhetoric simply can’t. Research backs this up—studies have shown that humor makes people more receptive to new ideas, even on serious topics like climate change. And right now, we need new ways to talk about climate more than ever.
One thing I’ve realized is that the story of climate doom and gloom isn’t entirely accurate. And comedy about the world ending is missing some critical context. Comedy can not only provide comfort and laughs, it can point the way towards a hopeful truth. Because, the truth is, no matter who’s in office, clean energy is the future. Americans are already personally invested in it, whether they realize it or not. Why? Because it saves money, creates jobs, and makes life better.
Take Wayne County, West Virginia, deep in the heart of coal country. Their entire school district—18 schools—is powered by solar, with 10,000 solar panels saving them $6.5 million over the next 25 years. Parents who once worked in coal mines are now solar installers. Kids are learning about STEM in classrooms powered by the sun.This isn’t a political issue—it’s a point of pride. I’m the only comedian in LA who is actively manifesting a West Virginia tour.
Or look here in Los Angeles, where LAUSD, the second-largest school district in the country, is leading the charge on electrifying its school buses. They’re reducing carbon emissions, cutting maintenance costs, and most importantly making high school flirting easier by having less loud buses ruining the vibe. Once again, it’s proving that clean energy isn’t just an environmental choice—it’s a smart financial one.
As comedian-in-residence at Generation180, I’ve been working to shift the culture around clean energy by making it more relatable and accessible. We’re facing funding freezes and political attacks, and that means we need to double down on storytelling—showing how clean energy benefits communities, creates jobs, and improves lives.
The Sundance Film Festival was held right after the devastating LA fires last month. It was there that I also saw firsthand how hungry people are for new ways to engage with climate issues. The festival dedicated an entire day to climate programming for the first time, and I was there as the emcee and the room was packed—standing-room only. I was repeatedly told that it wasn’t packed because I was the emcee but rather a desire to rethink and re-strategize the way we share climate stories.
Humor is powerful because it invites people into the conversation. We can’t afford to let climate advocacy be a club for people who already “get it.” Facts alone don’t change minds— stories and emotions do. That’s why we need more unexpected messengers: comedians, artists, faith leaders, teachers—people who can talk about climate in ways that resonate with new audiences. Climate action isn’t just for scientists and policymakers. It’s for everyone. And if that means using comedy to break down barriers, then let’s lean into it. Because if we can laugh about climate change, we can talk about it. And if we can talk about it, we can do something about it.
Clean energy is still winning and the momentum already happening continues to make the transition unstoppable. And I’ll be here, jotting down jokes in my notebook, because sometimes, laughter is one of the best tools we have to keep fighting.
Generation180 is a national nonprofit working to inspire and equip people to take action on clean energy. Esteban Gast is Generation180’s comedian-in-residence, and co-creative director of the Climate Comedy Cohort program, working with comedians to help get people’s attention and inspire climate action.
