Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- warm up / wɔːrm ʌp / (phrasal v.) – to do gentle movements or simple exercises to prepare oneself before an activity
Example:The performers warm up their arms and legs before going on stage.
- emission / ɪˈmɪʃ ən / (n.) – a gas or substance that is sent into the air, often from cars, factories, or animals, and can harm the environment
Example:The factories promised to reduce their emissions to help fight climate change.
- relieve / rɪˈliv / (v.) – to reduce or lessen pain, stress, worry, or other unpleasant feelings
Example:He listened to music to relieve stress and tension after a busy workday.
- sketch / skɛtʃ / (n.) – a short, funny performance or scene, often part of a larger show
Example:The audience left the theater laughing after watching the sketch comedy about work.
- showcase / ˈʃoʊˌkeɪs / (n.) – an event or situation designed to show the best qualities or abilities of someone or something
Example:The annual talent showcase gave art and music students a chance to display their best work to a larger audience.
Article
Read the text below.
Climate change isn’t funny. But more comedians are using humor to bring awareness to it. A university in the U.S. is showing students that laughs can sometimes achieve more than lectures.
Climate comedy is a long-time tradition at the University of Colorado Boulder. In a dark theater, students—largely environmental studies majors—stand in a circle while they warm up their faces, vocal cords and bodies to prepare for a not-so-typical class.
They listen closely to drama professor Beth Osnes-Stoedefalke, who has been teaching a creative climate communication course for 13 years with environmental studies professor Maxwell Boykoff. “We’re doing the arts. There are no rules. You’re getting as close to the edges what can be said as possible because it’s comedy,” she tells the students.
They are among a growing group of comedians using humor to raise awareness of climate change. On stage, online and in classrooms, they tell jokes to tackle topics such as the Inflation Reduction Act, fossil fuel industries, and convey information about the benefits of plant-based diets that emit less planet-warming emissions.
They hope to educate people about the climate crisis, relieve anxiety with laughter and give people hope. And although the impacts of climate change are deadly and devastating, experts say using humor to talk climate is an important part of the larger ecosystem of how it’s communicated.
“If we’re engaging these students in creative climate communication through comedy, they just don’t have room for their anxiety,” Osnes-Stoedefalke says.
Here, students learn how information about climate issues and solutions can be conveyed creatively.
They have virtual guest talks by professional comedians and producers, and work on their own sketch comedy or stand-up routines, which they later perform at the annual “Stand Up for Climate Comedy” showcase.
Climate comedy can also be used to make sense of the political moment.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- At a university in the U.S., students use comedy shows and jokes in class to help others understand serious climate issues. Do you think using humor is a good way to teach serious topics like climate change or politics? Why or why not? In what situations is it okay to use humor in class? Discuss.
- Would you trust information more if it were explained with jokes or in a fun way, or do you prefer a serious tone? Why do you say so? Discuss.
Discussion B
- According to the article, humor can relieve anxiety. Do you agree that humor can help people feel less anxious about global and social issues? Why or why not? What do you usually do when you feel stressed or worried? Discuss.
- How important is laughter or humor in your life today? Can you imagine a day without laughing? Why or why not? Discuss.
