Bill Gates has urged a strategic shift in the global response to climate change, arguing that efforts should focus on improving lives rather than solely on limiting temperature rises. In a note on his Gates Notes website, the Microsoft co-founder criticised what he termed a 'doomsday view' that concentrates too heavily on near-term emissions goals.
Gates wrote that while climate change will have serious consequences, particularly for the poorest countries, it will not lead to humanity's demise. 'People will be able to live and thrive in most places on Earth for the foreseeable future,' he said, calling for a refocus on metrics that count more than emissions, such as improving lives.
The billionaire's comments come a day after the UN acknowledged that the world has missed the 1.5C climate target. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of 'devastating consequences' and called for a dramatic reduction in emissions to avoid tipping points such as the Amazon rainforest turning into savannah.
Gates argued that for the most vulnerable, poverty and disease remain bigger threats than climate change. He suggested that limited resources should be directed towards interventions with the greatest impact for these populations, rather than solely on climate mitigation.
