Bill Gates: Why I'm a climate optimist
The tech billionaire turned philanthropist talks to The Climate Question about how he stays positive on climate change
Bill Gates, the tech billionaire turned philanthropist, has been combating poverty, disease, and inequity around the world for decades. However, in recent years he has shifted focus and resources towards the climate crisis.
Gates believes fighting climate change and fighting poverty are two sides of the same coin. Food, health and economic crises will last longer and become more severe as climate threats escalate, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable communities.
But the billionaire remains optimistic and believes the power of human ingenuity will win out with a technology-driven approach to reducing carbon emissions and dealing with the impact of global warming.
In 2023, Graihagh Jackson sat down with Bill Gates to talk about his positive outlook and the billions he’s investing in tackling climate change.
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Presenter: Graihagh Jackson
Producer: Osman Iqbal
Series producers: Alex Lewis and Simon Watts
Editor: China Collins
Sound engineers: James Beard, Graham Puddifoot and Tom Brignell
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The Climate Question
Why we find it so hard to save our own planet, and how we might change that.

