A self-regarding Bill Gates cited his own perceived centrality to the global climate debate for his constant use of private jets.
Broadcaster Amol Rajan from the BBC asked Gates in an interview that aired last Friday how he responds to criticism he uses private planes generating outsized carbon emissions while urging political and business leaders to act aggressively against “climate change.” [emphasis, links only]
Gates replied he more than offsets his own emissions by paying for the removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide. He was speaking after having flown to Kenya before the interview.
“Well, I buy the gold standard, of funding Climeworks, to do direct air capture that far exceeds my family’s carbon footprint,” the Microsoft co-founder said, repeating an argument often used by other members of the global elites.
Climeworks, which has offices in Switzerland and Germany, has clients such as Stripe and Microsoft, and the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund has invested in the company.
It says it “uses a technology called ‘direct air capture’ to capture carbon dioxide directly from the air.”
Gates went on to argue that his own investment in clean energy and other environmental and public health programs warrants his travel for those purposes.
“I spend billions of dollars on … climate innovation. So, you know, should I stay at home and not come to Kenya and learn about farming and malaria?” Gates pleaded rhetorically, an assertion for special treatment he has previously made when challenged on his traveling habits.
In a 2020 blog post, the billionaire philanthropist identified climate change as a “crisis.”
NEW: A BBC reporter asked Bill Gates directly why his climate activism should be taken seriously, as he continues to fly private all over the world:
Gates tried to assure the reporter that, despite his private jet usage, he is not part of the problem, he’s part of the solution. pic.twitter.com/U6f8Ymcp4l
— Will Hild (@WillHild) February 7, 2023
“We also need to act now to avoid a climate disaster by building and deploying innovations that will let us eliminate our greenhouse gas emissions,” he wrote.
Gates disputes his personal travel making him part of the problem he and other celebrities seek to get others to solve.
“Not only am I not part of the problem by paying for the offsets, but also through the billions that my Breakthrough Energy Group is spending … I’m part of the solution,” he told the BBC.
Air travel is still currently considered “the most carbon-intensive activity an individual can make.”
“Aviation is one of the fastest-growing sources of the greenhouse gas emissions driving global climate change,” the World Wildlife Fund’s website outlines.
“In fact, if the entire aviation sector were a country, it would be one of the top 10 carbon-polluting nations on the planet.”
Private jets are five to 14 times more polluting per passenger than commercial planes, according to a report from the European Federation for Transport and Environment.
One private jet can emit two tonnes of CO₂ within an hour, according to the report.
Read more at Breitbart
Doncha love it when
Gah-Tez reminds us of how important he is
Sorry Mr. Gates but we don’t want you and your Microsoft deciding the kids futures So just return to your Manion on the hill ride around the town sniffing and snorting at the rest of us like old Mr. Potter
Yup, he’s the most important bum in the world.
Maybe Gates is privy to the truths about CO2 and climate control.
That info is given by many but especially Doug Lightfoot and Gerald Ratzer, 2021,2, 3.
CO2, both natural and manmade, is exonerated.
It’s the sun wot did it by influencing water vapour, so controlling the climate amd temperature
“Maybe Gates is privy”
Gates is the human equivalent of a privy !
Attention Bill Gates : Your poop stinks just as much as ours. Flushing it down a gold “standard” toilet doesn’t change that.
I’ve got news for Gates. If he dropped dead today, not much would change.
Oh, I don’t know. Many of us would be happy to see him gone from this planet. Between his “green energy” push and investment in big pharma we don’t need him.
A few people might cry, many would raise an adult beverage in celebration, but overall, not much. Kind of like removing a stone from your shoe. A welcome relief but quickly forgotten.