US President Donald Trump has declared victory in the “War on the Climate Change Hoax,” citing a recent strategic pivot by billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a new blog post, the Microsoft co-founder argued against what he calls the “doomsday view” of climate change. Gates stated that while global warming will have “serious consequences,” it “will not lead to humanity’s demise”—a notable shift from his past, stronger warnings about climate catastrophe.
Trump seized on the comments, posting on Truth Social: “I (WE!) just won the War on the Climate Change Hoax. Bill Gates has finally admitted that he was completely WRONG on the issue… a great victory for truth.”
The Nuance of Gates’ Position
Gates’ argument is not a full reversal, but a call for a change in strategy:
- Refocus on Welfare: He maintains that climate change demands urgent action, but efforts should prioritize human welfare over “apocalyptic rhetoric” and short-term emissions targets.
- Innovation and Adaptation: He advocates for focusing on innovation, adaptation, and improving lives, particularly in the world’s poorest countries, arguing that this is the best defense against a warming world.
- New Goal: Gates wrote that the chief goal should be “to improve lives, not chase unrealistic short-term emissions targets.”
Gates’ comments come just before the COP30 global climate summit in Brazil, where adaptation and innovation are expected to take center stage. Meanwhile, the declaration bolsters Trump, who has long criticized international climate pacts like the Paris Agreement as an economic burden on the US.
