All the late night hosts joined forces to see if they can make you care about the climate crisis
To mark climate week, all the late night shows dedicated their shows Wednesday night to the climate crisis — well, almost all of them. Fox News host Greg Gutfeld opted out (or wasn't invited).
Yes, "this week, eight late shows, including this one, are doing climate-themed nights," Stephen Colbert said at The Late Show. "Crisis solved, just as surely as when all those celebrities sang 'Imagine' and ended COVID."
Climate change is already "transparently disastrous," and few countries are rising to the challenge, he said. "But ordinary people are doing something about climate change: they're worrying, especially young people." Not most Americans, though, he sighed. "Americans treat climate science like soccer — we know it's out there and it really matters to the rest of the world, but no one can make us care."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Well, "if death and destruction, famine, pestilence, water shortages on a global scale, if that isn't scary enough, think about this: Scientists say climate change could severely impact the world's supply of beer," Jimmy Kimmel said at Kimmel Live. "Half the world's coffee beans could be wiped out," and "climate change could even lead to massive shortages of rosé — I don't actually know if that's true, I just wanted to see if the white women were listening."
Look, "no matter what the big corporations and energy companies tell you, we're not going to vegan or Prius our way out of this ourselves," Kimmel said. "We need action. We need to make this our No. 1 priority."
"It's the No. 1 issue that we face," Samantha Bee said at Full Frontal. "But there's another big climate change issue that doesn't get as much attention as wildfires and hurricanes — you might say it's the No. 2 issue." That's right: sewage.
Instead of boring viewers with "the effects of climate change that everybody knows about," Trevor Noah said at The Daily Show, he focused on "how all the major effects trickle down into a lot of weird little effects that you may not know about," like all-female sea turtle populations, the Taliban's rise, space junk, and more violence and less sex.
The Late Show had a solution of sorts for the sex part.
The Late Late Show's James Corden and Late Night's Seth Meyers started their shows together.
Corden assured his viewers that "we're not going to hammer you with scary stories" but rather "focus on some positive, inspirational news stories about how people and companies are stepping up and rising to the occasion to confront this climate challenge." He also spoke with Bill Gates to get his solutions.
Meyers focused on the politics of climate change, notably the dual infrastructure bills in Congress, and rewrote Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire."
The Tonight Show phoned it in. "Some people are sad that summer's over," Jimmy Fallon said, "but good news: Thanks to climate change, it's not." He also interviewed Dr. Jane Goodall about her plan to fight climate change by planting trees.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
In 'Twisters,' there are no winds of (climate) change
Talking Points The weather-focused blockbuster kicks up a swirl of controversy over a conspicuous and deliberate omission
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Jurassic Park: how dinosaurs put wine on your table
Under The Radar The disappearance of the 'lumbering beasts' allowed the grape to 'take over the world'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The push for more climate change stories in Hollywood
The Explainer America's entertainment industry has often been accused of marginalizing stories about the planet
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published