As a potential descendent of James Watt, a new-ish father and a climate scientist specialising in future models of environmental disaster, Dr Matt Winning has more reason than most to brood about the looming apocalypse (he’s even been courted by the fossil fuel industry with massive financial incentives to greenwash their businesses). Except he doesn’t. We’re all in it together and equally fucked unless sanity prevails, and corporations and the financial markets can be persuaded to shift to cleaner energy sources, prioritising the future over short-term gain.

There’s some room for optimism in that it’s been tried (unsuccessfully) before. And Winning does suggest some mitigating yet damning logic for persevering with gas and oil. But in his lecture-theatre venue, the stand-up has temporarily put his modelling career on the backburner (as he previously did his banking past) to deliver a one-man theatrical piece that spans generations.

Jumping back and forth through history with an intensity that would dizzy Marty McFly, Winning establishes the personal and wider stakes with impressive conciseness and a consistent strain of grim humour. Parental tensions and legacy underpin everything. Serving ironic, non-alcoholic faux-Champagne, established French vineyards having become victims of changing weather patterns, the take-home message is a little hazy. Should I ditch my car or call my dad? Regardless, Winning has been steadily refining his dual vocation as an artist and science communicator, and it’s to be hoped he can finesse it further before the lights go out. 

Matt Winning: Solastalgia, Assembly George Square Studios, until 24 August, 4.35pm; main picture: Jessica McDermott.