How to Avoid a Climate Disaster

The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need

By: Bill Gates

Narrated by: Wil Wheaton, Bill Gates

Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Bill Gates (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Gates gathers advice from experts while laying out his vision for technological innovations that could reduce greenhouse gases and stop the warming of the planet. If even some of his plans work, this might be the most important book of the year.” —CNN

“One of the most accessible, practical, and interesting books on the topic to emerge since Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth.” —Oprah Daily

“The most comprehensible explanation for what’s driving our warming planet; how to measure the impact of the myriad contributions to this staggering and seemingly incalculable problem; and ultimately how to go about finding more effective approaches to each of them. It’s the closest thing I’ve seen to a how-to guide for addressing the climate crisis.” —Clinton Leaf, Fortune

good and timely advice for our planet

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

Planned steps for the solutions we need

Bill Gates has taken on the “doom & gloom” challenge of transforming climate change discussions from a hopeless battle to an inspiring arena of thought and innovation. He addresses the myriad web of interlocking complications to unpack the inertia and jumpstart actionable steps. With revelations from where to focus the energies of the private & public sectors as well as the individual, he also highlights the importance of thinking long term and not taking dangerous shortcuts such as a 2030 plan (vs 0 carbon by 2050). He gets the big picture and explains it in a way that everyone can follow, with enough details to lead to real progress. Let’s do this!

Great book!

It’s been a delightful experience. Well thought through layout of facts and actions which helps understand the real magnitude of the problem away from vitriol and emotion.

MUST READ

This is clear information about what we need to do and think about. Great overview.

I think I need physical text to highlight and refer back to

My only complaint is that I think I need a physical copy of this book to highlight, dog-ear, and refer back to in discussions.

Good intro book

Book is very broad, by no means comprehensive. Not meant to be though. Gates’ style of writing isn’t perfect either, definitely a computer background. He says many times “I will address this in the next chapter, in a moment, later on...” etc. overall an enjoyable listen and it’s great to hear from him in person at the beginning of the book. Narrator did a good job but is also a bit aggressive. Overall 4 stars!

Excellent book On climate change

This book at my interest all the way through. Bill Gates obviously has done his homework.

Very clear instructions in what we need to

Very thorough and clear in explaining the problem and the possible solutions to fight greenhouse emissions and climate control. The book says it as clear as possible this is not a one person or one government problem this is the world problem.

solid, but not technical enough for some of us

was expecting more detail about some topics for the more technical readers but nice overview and sumary for general public

Inspiring book for leaders

This is not just about Climate change. The book vividly introduces a way of thinking to tackle nearly all types of difficult and complex problems. The narrator makes it as if I am chatting with Gates at the breakfast table...lovely book.