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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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How to Avoid a Climate Disaster summary
Bill Gates
The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need
30 mins
Brief summary
"How to Avoid a Climate Disaster" by Bill Gates outlines practical solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preventing a climate catastrophe, and transitioning towards a clean energy future.
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How to Avoid a Climate Disaster
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To bring our planet back from the brink of disaster, we need to get our greenhouse gas emissions to zero.
When Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in 1975, they were living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Back then, the city was already pretty hot; temperatures climbed to over 90 degrees Fahrenheit an average of 36 days a year. But by 2050, that number of days is expected to double. And by the end of the century, it will triple. The health and economic consequences will be profound.
The reason for this rapid increase in temperature is that we’re currently pumping around 51 billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere every year. And while efforts are underway to improve the situation, this number isn’t going down; in fact, it’s only getting bigger.
The key message here is: To bring our planet back from the brink of disaster, we need to get our greenhouse gas emissions to zero.
So what can we do? Well, to start, we need to understand what greenhouse gases are and how they work.
There are many different greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Some are more harmful than others, but carbon dioxide alone accounts for more than 70 percent of yearly emissions. So, to keep the numbers simple, the collective term “greenhouse gases” also goes by the more scientific name of carbon dioxide equivalents – and this is the 51 billion tons that we’re dealing with.
The term “greenhouse gases” does a pretty good job of describing the problem these gases cause. They let the sun’s energy in, but they don’t let the resulting heat escape once it’s bounced back off the earth’s surface. As a result, the heat is trapped, much like the heat inside a greenhouse. It’s the same process that makes the inside of your car hotter than the outside on a sunny, summer afternoon.
The effect of these greenhouse gases is that the planet has gotten hotter. Since the dawn of the Industrial Age, the average global temperature has risen one degree Celsius; some areas have even experienced a rise of over two degrees. That may not sound like much, but, on a global scale, it is. And there are many far-reaching consequences.
For example, increased temperatures cause more moisture from the earth’s surface to evaporate into the atmosphere. As a result, there are more droughts around the world, more wildfires, and more flooding in areas already in danger of being consumed by water. Already, 20 to 30 percent of Bangladesh is underwater on a regular basis. This problem will only get worse – and more common around the world. This means more displaced people, as well as fewer habitats for both plants and animals.
We need to get to zero emissions because every second we don’t, the situation gets worse. Greenhouse gases don’t vanish overnight. They stick around for tens of thousands of years. Think of it like a bathtub on the verge of overflowing. Even a small but steady drip will cause the water to start spilling over.
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What is How to Avoid a Climate Disaster about?
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster (2021) is a guidebook to getting the world to an important milestone: zero greenhouse gas emissions. Bill Gates shares the knowledge he’s gained through his role on international climate commissions and as a go-to source of funding for climate solution startups. He pinpoints the ideas that show the most promise and explains the work that still needs to be done.
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster Review
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster (2021) by Bill Gates is a compelling guide to understanding and addressing the climate crisis. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It provides concrete solutions for individuals, companies, and governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent further damage to our planet.
- Through a combination of scientific research, expert interviews, and personal experiences, Gates offers a comprehensive perspective on the urgency and complexity of the issue.
- With its accessible language and clear explanations, the book ensures that readers can grasp the gravity of the situation and become committed to taking action.
Best quote from How to Avoid a Climate Disaster
Setting a goal to only reduce our emissions – but not eliminate them – wont do it. The only sensible goal is zero.
—Bill Gates
Who should read How to Avoid a Climate Disaster?
- Anyone concerned about climate change
- Investors interested in new funding opportunities
- Business leaders looking for ways to help
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How to Avoid a Climate Disaster FAQs
What is the main message of How to Avoid a Climate Disaster?
The main message of How to Avoid a Climate Disaster is to provide practical solutions and strategies for tackling the urgent issue of climate change.
How long does it take to read How to Avoid a Climate Disaster?
The reading time for How to Avoid a Climate Disaster varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is How to Avoid a Climate Disaster a good book? Is it worth reading?
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster is a worthwhile read as it offers actionable insights and a clear roadmap for addressing the climate crisis.
Who is the author of How to Avoid a Climate Disaster?
The author of How to Avoid a Climate Disaster is Bill Gates.
What to read after How to Avoid a Climate Disaster?
If you're wondering what to read next after How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Drawdown by Paul Hawken (ed.)
- The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg
- Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- Marriage Be Hard by Kevin and Melissa Fredericks
- Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth
- It Didn't Start With You by Mark Wolynn
- Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
- How Bad Are Bananas? by Mike Berners-Lee
- How to Prevent the Next Pandemic by Bill Gates