Most of my work on science communication is focused on the use of narrative as a tool for disseminating complex information more clearly and persuasively. But there is much to be said too for the use of humour in science communication, too, especially with urgent issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and the pandemic. This approach is John Oliver’s whole thing. Biologist Mark Carwardine and comedian/Renaissance man Stephen Fry’s series Last Chance to See is dead serious about extinction, yet manages to punch a bigger emotional punch by being quite funny too.

I was gratified to see this brief video featuring Earth scientist Mark Maslin and comedian and super-grump Jo Brand. Maslin gives the usual scientific and media talking points, Brand translates into her own deadpan (and obscenity-laden) style. Elsewhere, Maslin praises Brand’s ability to translate the facts into a message. As he tells it, her take on governments subsidizing fossil fuel companies?

“Even the dinosaurs didn’t subsidise their own extinctions; who’s the stupid species now?”

Jo Brand, according to Mark Maslin (The Guardian, 28 Jan. 2024, https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/jan/28/climate-scientist-mark-maslin-we-have-all-the-technology-we-need-to-move-to-a-cleaner-renewable-world)