Anchorage performers take on climate crisis through art – Alaska’s News Source

Report on “Laughing All the Way to the Brink”: A Theatrical Initiative for Climate Action

Introduction

A performing arts initiative in Anchorage, Alaska, is utilizing theatre to raise public awareness of climate change and its interconnected societal impacts. The production, titled “Laughing All the Way to the Brink,” serves as a local platform to advocate for environmental and social sustainability, directly aligning with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Core Objectives and SDG Alignment

Fostering Awareness through Performance

The central objective of the performance series is to highlight the urgency of the climate crisis. The title itself is a critique of economic models that have prioritized profit over planetary health, leading to the “brink of climate disaster.” This narrative directly supports the objectives of SDG 13 (Climate Action) by using art to educate the public and advocate for immediate measures to combat climate change and its impacts.

The production’s scope extends beyond environmental concerns to address interconnected issues, including politics and public health, reflecting a holistic understanding of sustainable development as outlined in goals such as SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Highlighting Disproportionate Impacts on Indigenous Communities

A significant focus of the theatrical works is the severe and disproportionate effect of climate change on Indigenous peoples. This emphasis aligns with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by giving voice to marginalized communities on the front lines of the environmental crisis.

• One featured story, originally written in 2009, explores the historical challenges faced by an Alaska Native village since European contact, demonstrating the long-term perspective of Indigenous communities on environmental shifts.
• The director referenced conversations with elders from St. Lawrence Island who noted significant weather changes decades ago, underscoring the value of traditional ecological knowledge in understanding long-term climate trends.

The recent impact of an ex-typhoon on Western Alaska is presented as a “siren call,” reinforcing the vulnerability of these communities and the need for resilient infrastructure and support, a key target of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Promoting Collaborative Action and Partnerships

The event exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through its operational model. It represents a collaboration between artists, a community venue, and established environmental organizations. Proceeds from the performances are structured to support this partnership:

1. The Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (the venue)
2. The Alaska Coalition Against Toxins (ACAT)
3. The Alaska Center for the Environment (ACE)

Event and Engagement Details

Performance Schedule

• Location: Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Anchorage
• Dates: Fridays and Sundays through November
• Time: 7:30 P.M. on Fridays, 6:30 P.M. on Sundays

• Location: The Annex, Palmer
• Date: November 14
• Time: 7:00 P.M.

Contribution

A $20 donation is requested for entry, with funds being distributed among the venue and partner environmental organizations to support continued work towards sustainability goals.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article’s central theme is raising awareness about climate change through a theatre performance. It directly discusses the “brink of climate disaster,” the impact of extreme weather events like a typhoon in Alaska, and the need for climate action.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable groups, specifically mentioning that “indigenous people” are “so severely affected.” It also touches upon the “native view” and the unique challenges faced by Alaska Native tribes.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The impact of the ex-Typhoon Halong on communities in Western Alaska is cited as a “siren call.” This relates to making communities resilient to climate-related disasters, especially those with vulnerable populations.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The theatre performance itself is a form of non-formal education and awareness-raising about climate change and sustainable development. The article also mentions a negative educational impact, where elders “stopped teaching our young people… how to tell the weather because our ways didn’t work anymore,” indicating a loss of traditional knowledge.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.
     
     Explanation: The entire initiative described, the “Climate Action Theatre,” is a direct effort to bring “awareness to our changing climate” through art. The goal is to inform the public and encourage action, which directly aligns with improving education and awareness-raising.
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
     
     Explanation: The article uses the “typhoon hits Alaska” as a prime example of a climate-related hazard. The mention of the “pain” it created and the failure of traditional weather prediction methods for Alaska Natives highlights the urgent need to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity in affected communities.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… origin, ethnicity… or other status.
     
     Explanation: The article gives voice to the specific struggles of indigenous peoples, noting that “some of the plays are about indigenous people and them being so severely affected by the climate change.” By showcasing their stories and the “native view,” the performance promotes the inclusion of their perspectives in the climate change discourse.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of… people affected… caused by disasters… with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
     
     Explanation: The article’s reference to the typhoon that hit Western Alaska and “created a lot of pain” directly relates to the impact of disasters on people. The focus on how indigenous communities are “severely affected” aligns with the target’s emphasis on protecting vulnerable populations.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development…
     
     Explanation: The theatre festival serves as a tool for “education for sustainable development” by using the performing arts to convey complex issues like climate change, politics, and health to a public audience, thereby equipping them with knowledge to promote sustainability.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 13.3 (Climate Education and Awareness):
   • Implied Indicator: The existence and activities of the “Climate Action Theatre” itself.
     
     Explanation: The article describes a specific communication activity (a series of performances) designed to raise awareness about climate change. The number and reach of such educational and awareness-raising initiatives can be used as a qualitative indicator of progress toward this target.
2. For Target 13.1 and 11.5 (Disaster Impact):
   • Implied Indicator: The occurrence of and human impact from extreme weather events.
     
     Explanation: The article explicitly mentions the “ex-Typhoon Halong hit Western Alaska” and the “pain” it caused. This points to indicators that measure the frequency of climate-related disasters and the number of people affected by them, which are used to track progress in building resilience.
3. For Target 10.2 (Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups):
   • Implied Indicator: The extent to which the perspectives of indigenous peoples are included in climate discourse.
     
     Explanation: The article highlights that the performance includes plays about “indigenous people” and their experiences, as well as the “native view of statehood.” This implies that progress can be measured by how well the unique vulnerabilities and knowledge of such groups are recognized and integrated into climate action plans and public awareness campaigns.
4. For Target 4.7 (Education for Sustainable Development):
   • Implied Indicator: The integration of climate change and sustainability topics into cultural and educational programs.
     
     Explanation: The theatre festival is a clear example of integrating education for sustainable development into a cultural event. The article also implies a negative indicator: the loss of traditional ecological knowledge, as elders “stopped teaching our young people… how to tell the weather,” which signifies a decline in a specific form of sustainable development education.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: alaskasnewssource.com