Bill Gates has dismissed apocalyptic predictions about climate change, arguing that while global warming poses serious challenges, it will not lead to humanity’s demise.
In a memo published on his 70th birthday, the Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist urged a more balanced approach to tackling the issue.
He warned that the climate community was becoming “overly focused on near-term emissions goals”, diverting attention from improving lives in a warming world.
“Although climate change will have serious consequences — particularly for people in the poorest countries — it will not lead to humanity’s demise,” Gates wrote.
“People will be able to live and thrive in most places on earth for the foreseeable future. Emissions projections have gone down, and with the right policies and investments, innovation will allow us to drive emissions down much further.”
Gates called for renewed attention on helping those most at risk, adding: “Although climate change will hurt poor people more than anyone else, for the vast majority of them it will not be the only or even the biggest threat to their lives and welfare.
“The biggest problems are poverty and disease, just as they always have been.”
He said his perspective had been shaped by more than two decades of learning and investment in green technology, as well as his work through the Gates Foundation, which has spent $100billion tackling issues such as infant mortality, malaria and vaccine access.
The comments come just days before world leaders gather in Belém, Brazil, for the UN’s annual climate summit, Cop30, where the focus will again fall on global efforts to cut emissions and support developing nations.
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