How to Avoid a Climate Disaster

The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need

By: Bill Gates

Narrated by: Wil Wheaton, Bill Gates

In this urgent, authoritative book, Bill Gates sets out a wide-ranging, practical--and accessible--plan for how the world can get to zero greenhouse gas emissions in time to avoid a climate catastrophe.

Bill Gates has spent a decade investigating the causes and effects of climate change. With the help of experts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, political science, and finance, he has focused on what must be done in order to stop the planet's slide to certain environmental disaster. In this book, he not only explains why we need to work toward net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases, but also details what we need to do to achieve this profoundly important goal.

He gives us a clear-eyed description of the challenges we face. Drawing on his understanding of innovation and what it takes to get new ideas into the market, he describes the areas in which technology is already helping to reduce emissions, where and how the current technology can be made to function more effectively, where breakthrough technologies are needed, and who is working on these essential innovations. Finally, he lays out a concrete, practical plan for achieving the goal of zero emissions--suggesting not only policies that governments should adopt, but what we as individuals can do to keep our government, our employers, and ourselves accountable in this crucial enterprise.

As Bill Gates makes clear, achieving zero emissions will not be simple or easy to do, but if we follow the plan he sets out here, it is a goal firmly within our reach.

*This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF of charts, graphs, and pictures from the book.

good and timely advice for our planet

I recomend all policy makers (private sector and public sector) read or listen to this book.

good book with interesting ideas

it's a good book. the first chapter is about out of Bill's comfort zone, though once he dives in the details, it gets good. I especially like his idea of green premiums

Great book - makes you want to take action

This is a great book that makes you want to phone your local leaders immediately. It can be dry with some sections of too much data but it’s always brought back to action before you check out.

Very enlightening

I learned a lot from this book, some I was familiar with, others I hadn’t thought of… Will Wheaton did a fabulous job of narrating. I wish everyone would read this book.

Solutions-based approach to climate change

A pragmatic and thorough assessment of climate change solutions across sectors and segments of the global systems. Finance and tech solutions are a big focus (as one might expect from the author) but he does a good job of assessing different roles of government, businesses, individuals, etc. Narration clear.
Digital visuals…? Not sure how to access.