How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need in Science and Inquiry

Mar 24, 2021 Sam rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: engineering-maths, ecology, popular-science, earth-science, proper-books

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this book, given some of the negative reviews and the fact that I've not really had much time for Bill Gates as a public figure. But I was quite surprised. Not only has he taken a complicated subject and made it accessible and readable for a large audience, putting it in terms that can be related to by those outside the environmental sector, he has also managed to work through the big changes that need to be made to address climate change. Granted he is I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this book, given some of the negative reviews and the fact that I've not really had much time for Bill Gates as a public figure. But I was quite surprised. Not only has he taken a complicated subject and made it accessible and readable for a large audience, putting it in terms that can be related to by those outside the environmental sector, he has also managed to work through the big changes that need to be made to address climate change. Granted he is far too optimistic and clearly isn't familiar with the reality that many of us working in the field are subject to on a daily basis that has turned us into massive cynics, but this does make for a better read, and a small part of me really hopes his optimism isn't misplaced.

He is also very open about why his has written this, how he came to it, and how he is investing in the various sectors that he mentions (although he doesn't name names to keep his bias to a minimum, again he is open about this too), which I found surprising given some of the accusations that he wrote this just to make money. I don't believe he has, or if so he has missed a lot of potential chances to plug his investment companies.

I'm a little disappointed that there wasn't more about what individuals can do beyond putting pressure on those with the power to make big changes, although this is really what we need now. And I would've liked more about those of us in the developed world reducing our footprints even while those in developing countries are increasing theirs to lift themselves out of poverty. I believe this does need to be a big part of what we all do, as meeting our energy and other needs would be a little easier if we use less too. But then, he is coming at it from a different direction and a place of optimism (seriously I am in awe and envious of this).

I would say that, regardless of your opinion of Gates, Microsoft, or big business generally, this puts in to perspective the scale of the changes we need to make collectively and gives individuals the information and tools to be able to pressure politicians, businesses, and everyone else with any kind of power or authority to make the right choices. ...more

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Feb 27, 2021 Mitchell Friedman rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library, liked-reviews, published-2021, political, nonfiction, climate, ebook

Interesting though a bit simple. And actually a little bit tedious. This is Gates already doing the things in the book but sharing what he is doing and how he got there. Assuming we (as individuals, businesses, cities, states, countries) do the right thing and act on climate change, I'm guessing it is going to look a lot like this book. And people are going to have to get used to ideas before they get acted on.

Like the idea of getting rid of their gas appliances including furnaces and water heat ...more

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