Let’s talk about climate change. Not because we’re so clever and have all the answers, but because ignoring it hasn’t worked out all that well. It’s wonderful to have this conversation in the classroom, but it needs to be everywhere else, too. And it can’t only be for people who did well in science class.
Where else can you talk about climate change?
Clubs are a great choice, especially if it’s the House of Yes and you get to share a stage with your favorite drag queen, Madame Vivienne, and singer extraordinaire Liah Alonso.
This performance was part of the annual-esque Mermaid Lagoon, which I co-produce with mermaids extraordinaire Kai Altair and Ali Luminescent. They are both world-famous performers; I am an oceanographer. We make it work.
Bathtubs at weird art events are also a great option. Nobody takes themselves too seriously when they’re listening to a mermaid in a bathtub accompanied by Bioluminescence on the ukulele.
Festivals are a great place to talk about climate change, because the crowd is generally interested and open to learning new things. In 2014, I got to participate in TEDxBlackRockCity and give a talk on El Niño and how it relates to climate change.
My very first Dr. Mermaid performance was at a much smaller festival back in 2012. I’ve taught workshops on natural history, climate change, and oceanography at various festivals throughout the US since then, and I hope to teach more.
Immersive Education
I enjoy doing immersive education, but recently I’ve discovered that I can teach others to do their own science teaching. This is so much more fun.
That’s Heather Mo’Witz and Amy Hope singing about how to stimulate coral. They’re not just fun and sexy and adorable; if you listen to the lyrics they wrote, they’re all scientifically sound. Of course, this was part of the Mermaid Lagoon at House of Yes, because who else would let us do this sort of thing?
The Immersive Education Team (2019)
These brilliant, creative, wonderful people took some ocean and climate related talking points and turned them into immersive education.
Nobody minds talking to a lobster about ocean conservation, or hearing what a bleached coral is going through. Everyone is interested in what the raver jellyfish has to say.
From the left: Amber Holland (as a lovely lobster), Heather Mo’Witz (as a healthy coral), me (Dr. Mermaid), Pris Stratton (as an imposing yet accessible jellyfish), and Amy Hope (as a bleached coral who hopes to recover soon). Photo by Victoria Golos.
Debra Tillinger 
Enjoyed your course and shared with grand daughter. Wishing you only the best.