This Wednesday, eight of America's late-night talk show hosts joined forces to use their platforms to discuss climate change in a cross-network "Climate Night". Their version of the topic was mainly a mixture of humor and science, since they were late night hosts, not scientists, politicians or mining CEOs.
Jimmy Kimmel's opening monologue stated, "And don’t even think of switching to another program we’re all focused tonight on this topic, you can’t escape." It's essentially an intervention.
Late night hosts Trevor Noah, Andy Cohen and Andy Cohen acted as insomnia television Avengers, with the diversity to match. They all dealt with our increasingly unpredictable planet in their own unique ways, from talking to experts to making turtle sex jokes to Trevor Noah.
The topics included wildfires and floods, heatwaves and melting ice caps. The hosts did not neglect other effects of global heating that didn't receive as much attention.
SEE ALSO 8 ways that climate change is already affecting you
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee explored the effects of increased rainfall on America’s ancient sewerage system. It also examined how Black communities are disproportionately affected by white neighbors' overflow.
Bee observed that racism is a problem with our sanitary system dysfunction, as it does with almost every other problem in the country. These water horror stories can be found in many predominantly Black communities. In contrast to the predominantly white communities where the worst water horror story happens when the waiter tells you, "We're out sparkling."
Noah of The Daily Show discussed smaller and less well-known ways that climate change is affecting the world. The majority of green sea turtle eggs hatching from females in warmer sands means that the future of the species is at risk.
Noah mimics a nature documentary narrator, saying, "For the male turtle this delicate [mating] ritual forms part of an endless nightmarish orgie from which he cannot escape." "Dignity is a distant memory. He is nothing but a reptilian f**kstick that has been attached to a shell and passed from one female to another. He pumps joylessly."
Jimmy Kimmel Live is finally here! Jimmy Kimmel Live! The host was a satirical attack on politicians from all political parties for inaction or active agitation regarding climate change.
Kimmel says, "Maybe these jackals who admit climate change is our fault but claim we can't afford it to stop it" "[Florida Senator] Rick Scott is concerned that combating climate change will destroy job opportunities. Armageddon.
Kimmel also invited actual climate scientists for a profanity-ridden plea and warning. He recreated a segment on climate change he did five year ago, allowing them to deliver a well-deserved "We f**king said so."
John Dorsey, a marine environmental scientist, said that "[We] are] f**ked up the greenhouse gas."
Climate scientist Alex Hall gestured to an illustration graph and said, "As you see, five years back we were here," "Now, we are closer to here, most f**ked. We only have a few more years to take serious action before we end up here: completely and irreparably screwed.
Kimmel stated, "Yes, there's other important issues, the pandemic and systemic racism, income inequalities, immigration, gun violence, and so on." But here's the problem. Climate change is the only issue that matters if we don't address it. We're playing with the radio while the car goes off the cliff."
The climate situation is extremely dire and it would be easy to fall into despair about the future. We can still reduce global warming and make a difference if we take immediate and drastic action. To do this, we need to support politicians who are addressing the issue effectively. Packages such as the Build back Better Agenda will invest $2 trillion over four years in clean energy.
Kimmel concluded, "The rest of you, our responsibility is it to do all we can to let them know that we want the bill to pass." Tell the people who represent you that this is important to you. When you call, it does make a difference. Tell them to do something about the disaster that's coming. They'll be the first ones to eat when there's a shortage of food.
