Bill Gates has told Australia it has a “big role to play” in tackling climate change despite flying Down Under in a fuel-guzzling private jet.
But he insists he is not part of the problem of private jets polluting the world as he strives to offset his carbon emissions.
The Microsoft co-founder traveled to Australia late last month aboard a $70 million Gulfstream private jet, which burns around 4,000 gallons of fuel per hour.
After arriving by private jet, Gates preached about the dangers of climate change at the corporate-funded Lowy Institute think tank and on ABC’s 7:30 reports program.
He told the Lowy Institute: “Climate change has not yet had the negative impact of a disease like malaria, which kills 400,000 children a year.
“The reason climate change is worth investing heavily in is because it only gets worse over time.”
“If you allow warming to reach extreme levels, all sorts of natural ecosystems disappear and all sorts of places in the world where you can’t work outdoors.
“So in the tropical areas farming would be impossible, outdoor work for large parts of the year would be impossible.”
Then the following week, during a 7:30 a.m. interview with the ABC report, he warned: “We must adapt while doing our very best to get our emissions to zero as quickly as possible.
“Australia plays a big role. It’s very fortunate that it will have some of the cheapest renewable energy in the world.’
Bill Gates flew his $70 million Gulfstream, which burns about 4,000 gallons of fuel per hour, to Australia to tell Australians they have a “big role to play” in climate change (pictured, Gates boarding a private plane ).
Asked how Australia can be considered a global climate leader while remaining one of the world’s largest fossil fuel exporters, Gates said: “I think Australia will be able to export green hydrogen and other clean products.
“It is certainly a country where the opportunities for a green economy are greater than in the past.”
However, Gates’ climate philanthropy, as opposed to his taste for luxury travel in private jets, has dubbed him a “climate hypocrite,” with critics baffled as to how the multi-billionaire can preach about cutting emissions while choosing to fly privately around the world.
During an interview with the BBC’s Amol Rajan earlier this month, Gates was asked how he had responded to people who called him a hypocrite about his jet use.
“What do you say to the accusation that you are a hypocrite if you act on climate change but also travel around the world in a private jet,” asked BBC Gates’ Amol Rajan.
The billionaire responded by sharing how he’s throwing money at the issue.
“Well, I’m buying the gold standard of funding Climeworks to do a direct air capture that far exceeds my family’s carbon footprint,” he said.
Gates then spoke about all the money he’s poured into climate research and how his work is better when he visits the places where his companies study first-hand.
“I spend billions of dollars on climate innovation,” he said. “So, you know, should I stay at home and not come to Kenya and learn about farming and malaria? Anyway.’
He added that he was “part of the solution”.
“I mean, I’m comfortable with the idea that not only am I not part of the problem — by paying for the offsets, but through the billions that my Breakthrough Energy group is spending, I’m part of the solution.” ‘
Bill Gates’ private jet. He said without them he couldn’t fly to places like Kenya to study climate change
Gates (above) has been accused of being a “climate hypocrite” for preaching about cutting emissions while traveling the world in his two private planes
“I mean, I’m comfortable with the idea that not only am I not part of the problem — by paying for the offsets, but through the billions that my Breakthrough Energy group is spending, I’m part of the solution.” ‘
A single private jet emits as much carbon dioxide in one hour as the average person emits in a whole year, while private flights are 14 times more polluting (per passenger) than commercial jets.
Gates, the world’s fourth richest person, visited Australia in January with representatives from his organization Breakthrough Energy, which aims to drive innovation in sustainable energy to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Gates was seen relaxing on Lizard Island on Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef before flying to Sydney on his Gulfstream jet, one of two he owns, to meet Anthony Albanese.