Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates recently said that if given a choice between eradicating malaria and a tenth of a degree increase in warming, he will choose the latter option. In a memo released today, October 28, Gates said that the world’s primary goal should instead be to prevent suffering, specifically in the world’s poorest countries. “I’ll let the temperature go up 0.1 degree to get rid of malaria. People don’t understand the suffering that exists today,” he told reporters.
Gates emphasized that climate change is a serious problem. However, it alone won’t be the end of civilization adding that scientific innovation may likely curb it. Gates stated that it’s instead time for a “strategic pivot” in the global climate fight: from focusing on limiting rising temperatures to fighting poverty and preventing disease.
The memo comes a month before the United Nations climate change conference in Brazil. During a roundtable discussion with reporters ahead of the release of the 17-page memo, Gates said “If you think climate is not important, you won’t agree with the memo. If you think climate is the only cause and apocalyptic, you won’t agree with the memo. It’s kind of this pragmatic view of somebody who’s, you know, trying to maximize the money and the innovation that goes to help in these poor countries.”
Bill Gates calls for shift in climate aid
Bill Gates believes the world’s progress in clean energy has outpaced expectations, thanks to faster innovation and the rise of artificial intelligence. He said affordable solar and wind energy are now replacing coal, oil, and gas plants, helping prevent worst-case climate scenarios.
However, Gates warned that funding to help poorer nations cope with climate change is shrinking, as wealthy countries — led by the United States — reduce their foreign aid budgets. “Gavi, a public-private partnership started by my foundation that buys vaccines, will have 25% less money for the next five years compared to the past five years,” Gates said. “Gavi can save a life for a little more than $1,000.”
He stressed that vaccines are even more vital in a warming world because “children who aren’t dying of measles or whooping cough will be more likely to survive when a heat wave hits or a drought threatens the local food supply.”
Gates pointed to research by the University of Chicago Climate Impact Lab showing that projected deaths from climate change fall by more than 50% when accounting for future economic growth. “Health and prosperity are the best defense against climate change,” he said.
Under these conditions, Gates argued that development aid should be spent where it can have the biggest impact. “If you have something that gets rid of 10,000 tons of emissions, that you’re spending several million dollars on,” he said, “that just doesn’t make the cut.”
Gates emphasized that climate change is a serious problem. However, it alone won’t be the end of civilization adding that scientific innovation may likely curb it. Gates stated that it’s instead time for a “strategic pivot” in the global climate fight: from focusing on limiting rising temperatures to fighting poverty and preventing disease.
The memo comes a month before the United Nations climate change conference in Brazil. During a roundtable discussion with reporters ahead of the release of the 17-page memo, Gates said “If you think climate is not important, you won’t agree with the memo. If you think climate is the only cause and apocalyptic, you won’t agree with the memo. It’s kind of this pragmatic view of somebody who’s, you know, trying to maximize the money and the innovation that goes to help in these poor countries.”
Bill Gates calls for shift in climate aid
Bill Gates believes the world’s progress in clean energy has outpaced expectations, thanks to faster innovation and the rise of artificial intelligence. He said affordable solar and wind energy are now replacing coal, oil, and gas plants, helping prevent worst-case climate scenarios.
However, Gates warned that funding to help poorer nations cope with climate change is shrinking, as wealthy countries — led by the United States — reduce their foreign aid budgets. “Gavi, a public-private partnership started by my foundation that buys vaccines, will have 25% less money for the next five years compared to the past five years,” Gates said. “Gavi can save a life for a little more than $1,000.”
He stressed that vaccines are even more vital in a warming world because “children who aren’t dying of measles or whooping cough will be more likely to survive when a heat wave hits or a drought threatens the local food supply.”
Gates pointed to research by the University of Chicago Climate Impact Lab showing that projected deaths from climate change fall by more than 50% when accounting for future economic growth. “Health and prosperity are the best defense against climate change,” he said.
Under these conditions, Gates argued that development aid should be spent where it can have the biggest impact. “If you have something that gets rid of 10,000 tons of emissions, that you’re spending several million dollars on,” he said, “that just doesn’t make the cut.”
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