Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder and longtime advocate for climate action, is rethinking how the world should approach global warming. In a detailed memo released Tuesday, Gates emphasized that while climate change remains a serious global issue, it is not an existential threat to humanity.
“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.”
The remarks mark a notable shift in tone for Gates, who previously warned about the catastrophic dangers of unchecked emissions in his 2021 book How to Avoid a Climate Disaster. Now, he appears to be steering the conversation away from fear-driven messaging and toward practical solutions that improve living conditions, especially in developing nations.
The memo comes just ahead of the United Nations’ COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil. Gates, who turned 70 this week, will not be attending this year’s gathering despite having participated in previous ones.
Over the past decade, Gates has invested billions of dollars into combating climate change through initiatives promoting clean energy innovation and adaptation in vulnerable communities. His venture fund, Breakthrough Energy, launched in 2015, has supported startups developing technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
However, Gates’ recent actions suggest a recalibration of his philanthropic priorities. Earlier this year, Breakthrough Energy made significant cuts, including shutting down its climate policy division. In May, he also announced plans to gradually wind down the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has committed over $1.4 billion to help farmers in poorer nations adapt to rising temperatures.
Gates’ renewed focus appears to center on global health and poverty alleviation—areas he believes are more immediate and actionable than climate doomsday narratives. “He saw the U.S.A.I.D. situation as more pressing, and something where he could be more effective,” said Johannes Ackva, climate lead at Founders Pledge, an organization that advises major philanthropists.
While Gates still sees climate change as a critical issue, his message now emphasizes resilience, innovation, and realism over fear, calling for efforts that empower vulnerable communities rather than stoke global panic.
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Source:Africa Publicity
