Bill Gates says ending Covid pandemic ‘very, very easy’ compared to tackling climate change
Microsoft founder wants to use technology to help world solve environmental crisis Bill Gates has said ending the global Covid pandemic will be very, very easy compared to the task of addressing the climate crisis . Managing to do this, he said, would be the most amazing thing humanity has ever done. Mr Gates told the BBC: Weve never made a transition like were talking about doing in the next 30 years. There is no precedent for this. The Microsoft founders new book, How to Avoid a Climate Disaster , which will be released on Tuesday, offers a guide on how to tackle global warming with a particular focus on the ways technology can be used to do this. The billionaire has argued that governments need to do more to help deter people from using fossil fuels. He also suggested countries should be more transparent and use an economic system that prices in the real cost of using fossil fuels and the damage they are doing to the environment. Currently, the world adds around 50 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere every year, which governments including the UK have pledged to cut to net zero in the coming decades. This means that any carbon emissions would be balanced by absorbing the same amount from the atmosphere. Many governments focus on using more renewable sources of energy. However Mr Gates said these only account for 30 per cent of total carbon emissions and the business magnate raised concerns about how to decarbonise the other 70 per cent. This other 70 per cent includes emissions created by transport systems and the production of steel, cement and fertiliser. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial A way to solve this would be innovation on a scale the world has never before seen, Mr Gates said. He added that he remained optimistic that the world still had time to avoid the worst effects of climate change: You know, Ive seen many times, innovation surprises us in a positive way. Despite his interest in helping to save the planet from climate change, Mr Gates admitted to arriving at the 2015 Paris climate summit in a private plane. I am aware that Im an imperfect messenger on climate change, he said, according to an extract of his book. The world is not exactly lacking in rich men with big ideas about what other people should do, or who think technology can fix any problem. I own big houses and fly in private planes in fact, I took one to Paris for the climate conference, so who am I to lecture anyone on the environment? But the billionaire said he wanted his ideas to play a part in the green stimulus packages being proposed around the world, inlcuding those which will be discussed as the UK prepares to host a climate conference in Glasgow in November this year. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Mr Gates says taking steps such as fewer flights, buying locally produced food and using less electricity and gas wont solve the crisis alone AFP via Getty Images Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Log in New to The Independent? Or if you would prefer: Want an ad-free experience? Hi {{indy.fullName}}