What is Mr. Gates saying in 51 Billion to Zero?
Thoughts on How to Avoid a Climate Disaster
Bill’s new book: How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need, just came out, and it is already doing pretty well. I mean, why wouldn’t it? Bill is one of the richest people globally; he is immensely famous — the kids living in the slums of New Delhi know his name, and the book addresses one of the hottest topics of 2021: CLIMATE CHANGE.
What this blog is about:
I want to explain what Bill is saying in the introduction “51 Billion to Zero.” I will share my thoughts after summarizing the chapter. For the sake of this task, I am assuming that the claims about the imminent danger of climate change are true. However, my assumptions are irrelevant.
The problem:
Bill addresses the problem that approximately 51 billion tons of greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere each year. He says we need to decrease greenhouse gases or, to be specific, stop them completely. I.e., ZERO. The obstacle is that other nations (which Bill calls: the pre-modern nations) are catching up with the modern world, which means more greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. He fears that if nothing changes (i.e., the way humans live), greenhouse gases will have a catastrophic impact.
The problem is hard to resolve, but Bill is optimistic about it. He thinks that change is possible given the technology and information we have. Basically, the book is about what it will take to change and why it is doable.
Bill’s solution:
People need reliable and cheap energy to survive, specifically the poor. So, energy is important. But, we need to produce energy without emitting any greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The solution is CLEAN ENERGY.
Furthermore, Bill says we have already discovered greenhouse gas solutions by developing tools like solar and wind energy sources. Hence, all we need is (a) to use solar, and wind energy that we already have at a greater level and (b) produce better, quicker, and cheaper technologies like these.
What people and nations can do:
Bill gets a bit optimistic and radical here, at least in my opinion. He calls for the following steps indirectly:
1. Destroy the fossil-fuel companies by not further investing in their stocks. Bill says this is what he did; he sold all the stock he had of fossil-fuel corporations. For Bill, this is a practical way through which the goal of zero-emission can be reached.
2. Invest in the companies that are developing new technologies for clean energy.
3. The invention of new technologies for clean energy needs to take place at the international level. This means different countries need to cooperate in developing and investing in companies working on producing clean energy resources.
4. Buy clean energy jetliners, cars, houses, everyday commodities, and technologies.
Note: The rest of the book is a how-to practically get zero-emission and avoid climate catastrophe guide.
Let us think about this chapter!
I will say a few words about the author; then, I will say something about this chapter’s content.
On Mr. Gates:
Some people will make the following kind of comment about this book: “A rich guy telling others what and what-not to do.” There is nothing false about this sort of review or comment. Bill is rich, and he is telling others what and what-not to do. However, this does not mean what Mr. Gates is saying is false or has no value. It is commonsensical and safe to say that the book’s content is either true or false despite who wrote it. Hence, in pursuit of learning and openness, the content of the book is more important than the author. If a rich guy is telling people what-to-do or what-not-to-do, then let’s listen and think whether his ideas are of any good. After all, there is a reason he is rich!
On the content of this chapter (51 Billion to Zero):
We can ask whether climate change is actually happening and if humanity is in immediate threat. This is a fair question to start with. However, as mentioned earlier, I am assuming that the claims regarding climate change are true for the sake of this blog. (This also gives us a good start to think about the book carefully.) Moreover, let us also suppose that the solution Bill proposed in this chapter would (or can) resolve the problem.
The questions we must consider:
Nonetheless, even if we grant that the problem and the danger are real; and that Bill got the solution to it, we are still left with the moral questions. We need to consider the moral consequences of what these changes entail. We need to ask how changing the whole industry of our energy source would impact us, humans, at large.
Can this benefit the poor?
Are we even sure that clean energy would be beneficial for the poor (specifically those in third-world counties) given the global economic system we have? Clearly, clean-energy moto is hugely advantageous for the tech companies like the one Mr. Gates owns and others. It is not difficult to imagine that these tech companies would build products for huge profits in the market. But what is unclear is how exactly Bill’s proposed solution would benefit the poor. I discern and presume that the poor would not be able to afford it even if made affordable. Just think about it, fossil fuel is cheap, but still, not everyone can afford it.
What about millions of jobs?
How will we provide jobs for those people who work in fossil-fuel industries if we rapidly destroy these industries? It is easier to speak of destroying big industries — specifically for those who got their state-funded insurances and allowances for every necessary thing. But developing countries like Iran, China, India, etc., where the majority of people live on daily wages — which they earn in fossil-fuel companies do not have the same privileges. They would most likely starve to death if the companies they work for rapidly disappear.
Final thoughts:
Of course, there are answers to the questions I raised and solutions to the problems I outlined. Maybe, Bill will address these issues and questions in the rest of the book. Clearly, he is aware and concerned about these issues and questions. In any case, these are some of my thoughts to help anyone thinking about this chapter critically and carefully. I have much more to say, but I want to keep it short.
