"A doomsday outlook has led the climate community to focus too much on near-term goals to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that cause warming, diverting resources from the most effective things that can be done to improve life in a warming world, Gates said."
"If given a choice between eradicating malaria and a tenth of a degree increase in warming, Gates told reporters, "I'll let the temperature go up 0.1 degree to get rid of malaria. People don't understand the suffering that exists today.""
"The Microsoft co-founder spends most of his time now on the goals of the Gates Foundation, which has poured tens of billions of dollars into health care, education and development initiatives worldwide, including combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria."
Climate change poses serious risks but is unlikely to end civilization. Scientific innovation and clean-energy advances can substantially reduce emissions and mitigate warming. A strategic pivot is recommended from concentrating primarily on limiting near-term temperature increases to prioritizing actions that prevent human suffering, especially in the world's poorest countries. Excessive focus on short-term emission targets diverts resources from poverty reduction, health care, and disease eradication that directly improve lives in a warming world. Prioritizing eradication of diseases like malaria can be a cost-effective way to reduce suffering even if it allows marginal additional warming. Investments in health, development, and energy innovation address both human welfare and climate goals.
Read at Fast Company
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