In a move that has stirred debate across the scientific and philanthropic worlds, Bill Gates, long known for championing the fight against climate change, has called for a redirection of global resources.
In a new essay, titled “Three Tough Truth About Climate,” published on Tuesday on his personal blog, Gates Notes, the Microsoft co-founder argued that while climate change remains a serious issue, it should no longer dominate the world’s spending and attention.
Instead, Gates urged philanthropists and policymakers to invest more aggressively in combating disease, hunger, and poverty, which he described as more immediate threats to human life. “Climate change, disease, and poverty are all major problems,” Gates wrote. “We should deal with them in proportion to the suffering they cause.”
Bill Gates: “Climate change will not end humanity”
Gates acknowledged that global warming presents serious long-term risks, particularly for the world’s poorest populations, but dismissed the notion that it will bring about human extinction. “Although climate change will have serious consequences, it will not lead to humanity’s demise,” he wrote. “This is a chance to refocus on the metric that should count even more than emissions and temperature change: improving lives.”
The billionaire philanthropist emphasized that the ultimate goal should be preventing suffering, rather than chasing costly zero-emission targets at all costs. He pointed to recent cuts to US foreign aid programs, particularly USAID, as examples of how diverting resources away from humanitarian needs could worsen crises in famine, health, and poverty.
From green energy to global health
Gates’ position marks a sharp contrast to his previous public statements. For years, his Breakthrough Energy initiative poured billions into clean-energy innovation and climate mitigation technologies. In 2023, he described climate change as an “overwhelming” challenge requiring an “unprecedented” global effort.
Now, in both his essay and a follow-up interview with CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin, Gates said continuing to pour massive resources into the climate battle, while progress in global health stalls, would be a “huge disappointment.” Still, he insisted his remarks do not represent a full reversal, stressing that climate investments must continue but “in proportion” to other urgent challenges.
Divided reactions from the scientific community
Experts and climate advocates were quick to respond. Some agreed with Gates’ call for a more balanced approach, while others accused him of drawing a false comparison between crises that are deeply intertwined.
“Humans are resilient, and while billion-dollar disasters will become more frequent, humanity will not be wiped out,” said Jennifer Francis, a senior scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center. “But we still need to focus on curing the disease—emissions—while treating the symptoms like hunger and health.”
Others were less sympathetic. “There is no greater threat to developing nations than the climate crisis,” countered Michael Mann, director of the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability & the Media. “He’s got this all backwards.”
Bill Gates reignites debate ahead of COP30
Gates’ essay comes just weeks before COP30, the global climate summit where governments and activists are expected to reaffirm commitments to reducing carbon emissions. His remarks are likely to spark intense discussion among world leaders and environmental groups over how best to balance climate action with other humanitarian priorities.
While Gates insists his call is about realism, not retreat, the timing and tone of his message signal a growing tension in global philanthropy: whether the world’s limited resources are being spent where they can do the most good—now and in the future.
