How to Avoid a Climate Disaster
The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need
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4.0 • 417 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • 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.
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 to 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.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Contemplating the world’s climate crisis leaves many of us feeling scared and uncertain. But this powerful book—by self-described “imperfect messenger” Bill Gates—cuts through the noise and offers a clear path forward. Drawing on copious research, the expert opinions of the world’s top climate scientists, and his own in-depth knowledge of Silicon Valley, Gates explains how we can take steps to effectively stop climate change by using technology. Gates uses approachable, easy-to-understand language to discuss both the undeniable seriousness of the problem and the surprisingly clear-cut path to achieving zero emissions. How to Avoid a Climate Disaster perfectly illustrates that, if used correctly, hard data on climate science can offer us something we never imagined: hope.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Gates (The Road Ahead), Microsoft cofounder turned philanthropist, is optimistic in this cogent guide to avoiding "the worst effects of climate change." Gates's goal is to get from the 51 billion tons of greenhouse gasses added to the atmosphere annually to zero. This is possible, he writes, by making use of existing technologies and developing new ones to remove emissions: transportation's "zero-carbon future," for example, will mean using "electricity to run all the vehicles we can, and getting cheap alternative fuels for the rest." (Such alternatives include electrofuels, which, he notes, researchers are developing.) Gates rounds out his advice with steps for governments and individuals: he encourages citizens to "make calls, write letters, attend town halls," while Congress should financially incentivize green policies, and state governments can "test policies like carbon pricing" before they're implemented countrywide. Readers will enjoy Gates's sometimes breezy tone ("You have to be a pretty big nerd to write a sentence like I'm in awe of physical infrastructure' "), and while his scientific solutions are never fringe, not all of his ideas strike as politically feasible. Nonetheless, those looking for an accessible review of how global warming can be countered will find this a handy and maybe even hope-inspiring guide.
Customer Reviews
It is free. You are free to read it
It’s not free because consumers rarely appreciate items if they are free. The value is not recognized if you don’t have a small amount of skin in the game. I doubt the publisher would offer up their profit either. And I’m pretty sure Gates profits will go towards more climate mitigation...
Why isn’t this book free?
I haven’t read this book yet, but I’m struck by the fact that this book is not entirely subsidized by Bill Gates. If he really wants people to read his proposal, why is he charging for it? He can certainly afford to offer it for free and, as a result, spread the word far more broadly and quickly...
Load of Climate crap from a Madman
What makes Bill Gates think that he can tell anything to anyone about climate disaster? when he has no credentials about climate change, the one thing he knows how to do is create is viruses.