Bill Gates will always be remembered, not only for creating the tech giant Microsoft but for working tirelessly to make a difference in this world. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has been hard at work to eradicate polio and malaria from the planet. Recently his foundation has made clean and renewable energy a top priority, given the challenges that climate change has brought to the living conditions of our planet.
The Fight against Climate Change
Those who follow Bill Gates know that he has been rather active during the past few months, working to promote renewable energy. During an interview with a news outlet, he said that he will be giving $2 billion to accelerate innovation that will go a long way in minimising the effects of climate change. These funds will be used in research to reduce the effects of climate change and discover new technologies for carbon-free energy.
Paris will soon hold an international summit where global climate change will be discussed by government representatives. Gates says whatever the outcome of the summit may be, it’s difficult to hold any particular country to fulfil their commitments. He says there isn’t any financial incentive in going the carbon-free way and that’s not how capitalism works.
“In energy, no government—including the U.S., which is in almost every category the big R&D funder—has really made a dramatic increase. It was increased somewhat under Carter and then cut back under Reagan, and it’s now about $6 billion a year—that’s the U.S. piece, which, compared with the importance to our economy, in general, is too low.” – Bill Gates
Time is Running out and the World Needs Clean Energy
The UN recently released a survey revealing plans of over a 100 countries to fight climate change. He wants the US government to declare a “war on carbon”. His argument revolves around the premise that reducing carbon emissions will be far more difficult than what the governments have assumed. Gates says that 2030 or 2050, plans for reducing carbon emissions will be too late and won’t stop world temperature from rising by 2 degrees centigrade.
Gates believes that while there are no alternatives right now, history has shown that scientific achievements can be made very quickly when warranted. He also shared some unique thoughts on wind and solar power solutions. If all goes right, maybe his attention to global warming will incite more interest from governments and other philanthropists.
How is Pakistan Faring with its Renewable Energy Efforts?
In Pakistan, we’re seeing a solar energy renaissance of sorts, with one solar energy solution for Rs. 490, Telenor getting 30% of its phone towers solar, and many more noteworthy developments in clean energy initiatives by private and public sectors alike. A recent report submitted to Parliament revealed that Pakistan has lost $20 billion due to climate change. Let’s hope the government realises the threat posed by climate change until its too late, if not for itself but for the sake of our future generations and the country’s prosperity.
may Allah bless this man. he has done a lot for humanity.