Bill Gates (1) (1955–)

Gates writes that the world emits 51 billion tons of greenhouse gas every year. In his book he lists what we can do to bring that down to zero and even take CO2 from past pollution out of the air. Like a true technophile, Gates assumes that if we don't get there with behavioural change, technology can save us. Investments must be made in research and development, and in order to determine where the available budgets are most effective, he introduces the concept of a 'green premium' which indicates how much more expensive the climate friendly solution is compared to the existing way that uses fossil fuels. This difference is not the same everywhere as it depends on which technology is replaced, and which solution is chosen. There are even cases where the switch to a climate-friendly alternative saves money, which Gates explains by outdated regulations aimed at goals other than climate. MK… (more)