In this urgent, authoritative book, Bill Gates sets out a wide-ranging, practical – and accessible – plan for how the world can get to zero greenhouse gas emissions in time to avoid a climate catastrophe.
Synopsis
Bill Gates has spent a decade investigating the causes and effects of climate change. With the help of experts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, political science, and finance, he has focused on what must be done in order to stop the planet’s slide toward certain environmental disaster. In this book, he not only explains why we need to work toward net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases, but also details what we need to do to achieve this profoundly important goal.
He gives us a clear-eyed description of the challenges we face. Drawing on his understanding of innovation and what it takes to get new ideas into the market, he describes the areas in which technology is already helping to reduce emissions, where and how the current technology can be made to function more effectively, where breakthrough technologies are needed, and who is working on these essential innovations. Finally, he lays out a concrete, practical plan for achieving the goal of zero emissions-suggesting not only policies that governments should adopt, but what we as individuals can do to keep our government, our employers, and ourselves accountable in this crucial enterprise.
As Bill Gates makes clear, achieving zero emissions will not be simple or easy to do, but if we follow the plan he sets out here, it is a goal firmly within our reach.
Heather comments
The television program 60 Minutes featured an interview in 2021 with Bill Gates discussing his views about Climate Change. This piqued my interest in his new book about Climate Disaster. Although a non-fiction book, I found the read quite fascinating and at only 234 pages, it was completed quickly.
Bill Gates provided a keen discussion about the need to reach zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. There were many topics and issues presented which represented new information related to Climate Change. His position of privilege has given him numerous opportunities (attending Climate Change forums, touring clean energy installations and factories) which he openly shares. The book is designed in an organized and informative manner with the discussion simplified for the layperson. Although the governmental aspects of the book are based on the American political structure, there are many similarities to the Canadian system.
I was really impressed with the acknowledgments at the end of the book and the wealth of people who assisted collaborated and encouraged the book. With so many advance readers, it is a small wonder that it is such an informative read. One that everyone should read before the next UN Climate Change Conference in November 2021.
Heather S.
