Overview
- Bill Gates wrote that climate change is a serious problem but “will not lead to humanity’s demise,” urging a primary goal of preventing suffering for the most vulnerable.
- He called on charities and climate efforts to emphasize human welfare, innovation and resilience over temperature metrics, citing declining disaster deaths and Sri Lanka’s failed fertilizer ban.
- President Trump claimed vindication and right-leaning outlets labeled the memo a recantation, though Gates reiterated support for climate action and said every tenth of a degree avoided is beneficial.
- Center and left analyses stressed he did not call climate change a hoax, with the World Health Organization warning the climate crisis is already damaging health through fossil fuel dependence.
- The dispute now centers on whether donors and COP30 agendas shift toward a welfare-first, technology-focused approach or maintain emphasis on near-term emissions cuts.