Instead, we need to invest in technologies that will allow emerging countries to develop in a sustainable manner, without increasing their carbon footprints. It is inconceivable to ask African countries, for example, which today account for only 2% of carbon emissions, to continue living in poverty in order to avoid a climate disaster. The fight against global warming must take these issues into account, and must not condemn human beings to live in poverty. It’s over 6 of worldwide carbon emissions, Gates told Marketplace Morning.

This makes promoting the economic development of the poorest regions vital. Gates considers cement to be a great example of something in need of a desperate cleanup to fight climate change.

He states that it is imperative that every individual has access to electricity, transport and quality food. Gates also reconciles the fight against poverty with the fight against climate change. Carbon could be removed either at the source of the emission or in the atmosphere. In this urgent, authoritative book, Bill Gates sets out a wide-ranging, practical - and accessible - plan for how the world. He defines this as reducing emissions as much as possible, in combination with carbon removal techniques. He also explains that achieving “zero emissions” does not mean that our economic activities will no longer result in carbon emissions, but that we are talking about net zero emissions. He explains with great clarity that reducing our emissions will not be enough, because as long as carbon accumulates in the atmosphere, temperatures will continue to rise, threatening all life on this planet. Bill Gates’ entire argument is based on a single fact : the need to aim for carbon neutrality.

How to avoid a climate disaster