When it comes to getting the word out about the issues, us environmentalists can tend to be a serious bunch, because it’s a serious issue. But we may not be giving comedians and cartoonists enough credit in the movement…their ability to cut through barriers and turn an issue on its ear with humour is an incredibly powerful skill, and one that is not as easy as it looks.
A case in point is Jon Stewart’s ”Daily Show,” now the place where most young people get their news…Stewart’s razor sharp wit backed with a huge and highly educated team of writers has earned the show a stack of Emmys year after year. And his ability to interview guests with the ultimate respect no matter who they are, showing a solid intellectual understanding of the issues, and still challenging opposing views with good humour is a balancing act very few can pull off. Because of his renowned skills, he’s been able to interview the world’s top politicians on both sides of any debate. This humble show on Comedy Central has become the truth meter, cutting through the subterfuge of spin thrown out by government, corporations and figureheads, and has had tremendous impact on our culture and how we understand the issues we face.
There are many others in the comedy field who have deftly brought attention to environmental issues…standup comedians like George Carlin and Lewis Black, Steve Colbert of “The Colbert Report”, Canada’s own Rick Mercer and the show “This Hour has 22 minutes”, and many more. And don’t forget the cartoonists. Remember how the gentle humour of Calvin and Hobbes addressed conservation in such a brilliant and subtle way? Political cartoonists are another breed of comedians with an incredible skill at boiling down an issue to its essentials with a few strokes of ink, and unveiling the truth in a way we may not have seen it before. For example, check out this collection of political cartoons around a variety of environmental issues:
http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/environment/ig/Environment-Cartoons/
Who are your favourite comedians that tackle environmental issues? What is it about their humour that really packs a punch and gets a point across?
Tags: comedy, eco, environmental, humour, issues, Jon Stewart
