What’s funny about climate change? For scientist, comedian and author Matt Winning, it’s all a ‘Hot Mess’

Self-styled “London-based Scottish comedian” and author Dr Matt Winning has a PhD in Climate Change policy, meaning, he says: “I’m the sort of doctor that, if you have a heart attack and collapse on a flight, I will rush to your side, but only to berate you for flying”.

It’s a unique skillset that used to be far more compartmentalised, his day job as an environmental researcher in stark contrast to his initial brand of alternative character and improv-heavy comedy in the early 2010s.

But by bringing the two together and forging a unique path as a climate change comedian, people really sat up and took notice of Winning – first in 2017’s Filibuster, and then Climate Strange and It’s the End of the World as We Know It in the ensuing years.

Matt Winning – photo: Avalon UK

He is also the author of Hot Mess: What on Earth can we do about Climate Change?, which aims to lighten the mood, while enlightening people on the facts, and he is now on tour with a show of the same name.

Ahead of his evening at Bath’s Rondo Theatre on May 27, Winning told Bristol24/7 what audiences can expect.

How are you doing? What keeps you up at night, and what gets you up in the morning at the moment?

“I am very well, thank you for asking. At the moment the answer to the second questions is absolutely, without a doubt, my young son.

“Juggling my weird life as a climate change researcher and a stand-up comedian has become even trickier with a very small man on the scene causing absolute chaos.”

Can you give us some background to Hot Mess?

“It is a comedy show about climate change. And being funny, it is kind of the opposite of a lot of climate messaging out there.

“This is a show based on my book of the same name, which was also based on previous shows of various different names. So, in essence it is a ‘best of’ my climate jokes.”

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But what’s funny about climate change?

“Inherently not much, but as with all good comedy, it often comes from the difficult questions. Mine are either silly jokes about the science and solutions, or the sheer hypocrisy of those with power.

“Also, it is something that affects us all and given that we all cause climate change in some way, there is observational comedy to be found that’s relatable to our day-to-day lives.”

Why do you think comedy might get through to people for whom the news might be too overwhelming?

“People often turn off when they are overwhelmed with fear-based messaging. That type of messaging works for certain people, sure, but others respond with denial; some in out and out denial where they say it isn’t happening. But that is rare.

“More often, it is denial in the sense that they just ignore it and pretend it isn’t important. I think comedy can reach and help those people by entertaining and informing them at the same time.”

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How have audiences been responding to the book tour so far?

“It has been super! Well, it is weird as I actually started the tour under a different name in 2020 and did one date of it in Bristol before all hell broke loose.

“Then in the intervening two years, I’ve written a book and had a child, and finally restarted the tour in April. A lot has happened, and I’m trying to work that in now. But it’s so nice to be in front of people again.”

Hot Mess asks ‘are we screwed?’ and ‘what can I do about it?’ What is your personal outlook for the future?

“I have to answer this by saying that it doesn’t really matter what my personal outlook is. It is actions, and not opinions, that matter. It really only matters that I do as much as I can. And by ‘do’, I don’t just mean as an individual; it’s by going out and speaking to others that I can have a much bigger impact.

“We need to view this question of ‘what can I do about it?’ as much, much more than simply eating less meat and buying an EV as one individual person. Our banking, our jobs, and our community – all of those elements are even more important.

“It matters what we all do, collectively. If everyone is pulling together and using their own strengths, then we will be fine.”

Matt Winning: Hot Mess – What on earth can we do about climate change? is at The Rondo Theatre, Bath, on May 27. Tickets are available at www.rondotheatre.co.uk.

Main photo: Matt Winning

Read more: Matt Forde: ‘It’s depressingly easy to find the funny side of things’

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