He’s completely correct, and the whining about hypocrisy is for the most part coming from people just looking to shut down all conversation that would actually help.
The sources of greenhouse gasses are largely industrial. We need systemic reforms and new technology. Complaining that any person involved takes a jet, or plane, or car, or train, or bike made from metal and plastic that produced greenhouse gasses, is a diversion from meaningful problems and solutions.
Exxon and BP are very happy to have stupid people pointing the finger at celebrities with pools and climate activists on planes, as they destroy the sustainability of the planet for record profits.
>“Well, I buy the gold standard of, funding Climeworks, to do direct air capture that far exceeds my family’s carbon footprint,” the Microsoft co-founder, who was being interviewed in Kenya, replied.
“And I spend billions of dollars on … climate innovation. So, you know, should I stay at home and not come to Kenya and learn about farming and malaria?”
The billionaire added that he was “comfortable with the idea that, not only am I not part of the problem by paying for the offsets, but also through the billions that my Breakthrough Energy Group is spending, that I’m part of the solution.”
Well he has a pretty valid point here, but few with private jets and yachts yet advocate climate change can say the same.
Maybe not so much now but in his prime gates time was a commodity as well. I would be surprised to hear him say this, but there are plenty of prominent executives who would argue that they can’t afford the delays of commercial.
And once your business concludes you dont have to worry about making a flight or having to move your time because you finished when you finished. Your jet is waiting on you.
If you use fossil fuel-generated electricity, you will always release much more CO2 than you capture. If you use green electricity, you capture more CO2 than you release, but the mass captured is always orders of magnitude less than the amount released due to diverting that green electricity from productive uses.
Basically, he believes he can pay to expunge his climate impact. Kind of like how Catholics allowed nobility and rich people to buy indulgences so they could sin however they wanted, while telling other people not to.
This just comes down to another way for the ultra rich to live as luxuriously and avariciously as they want, while evangelizing for changes that will massively effect the “poors” but won’t affect the rich at all.
Irish_Whiskey says
He’s completely correct, and the whining about hypocrisy is for the most part coming from people just looking to shut down all conversation that would actually help.
The sources of greenhouse gasses are largely industrial. We need systemic reforms and new technology. Complaining that any person involved takes a jet, or plane, or car, or train, or bike made from metal and plastic that produced greenhouse gasses, is a diversion from meaningful problems and solutions.
Exxon and BP are very happy to have stupid people pointing the finger at celebrities with pools and climate activists on planes, as they destroy the sustainability of the planet for record profits.
disgruntled_joe says
>“Well, I buy the gold standard of, funding Climeworks, to do direct air capture that far exceeds my family’s carbon footprint,” the Microsoft co-founder, who was being interviewed in Kenya, replied.
“And I spend billions of dollars on … climate innovation. So, you know, should I stay at home and not come to Kenya and learn about farming and malaria?”
The billionaire added that he was “comfortable with the idea that, not only am I not part of the problem by paying for the offsets, but also through the billions that my Breakthrough Energy Group is spending, that I’m part of the solution.”
Well he has a pretty valid point here, but few with private jets and yachts yet advocate climate change can say the same.
sfenders says
A talent for blind hypocrisy is just one of the many job requirements for being a billionaire.
DopBopDeeBeep says
Cut the guy some slack. How else can he make it to Epstein’s island?
flatulasmaxibus says
Stay classy Bill Gates.
NorthImpossible8906 says
wrong sub, this isn’t a “not the onion” thing at all.
diamened says
The real reason is because he believes firmly he’s better than the rest of us. He’s also an asshole
TheReddestofBowls says
Has gotta be propaganda from ExxonMobil and big oil.
“See? Even though he’s working against climate change, he doesn’t just stay home and actually goes places. Therefore, we should do nothing!”
Go ahead and ask all of the people pointing out this ‘hypocracy’ what actions they plan to, and are taking, instead. Absolutely nothing.
Mother-Pitch5791 says
Maybe not so much now but in his prime gates time was a commodity as well. I would be surprised to hear him say this, but there are plenty of prominent executives who would argue that they can’t afford the delays of commercial.
And once your business concludes you dont have to worry about making a flight or having to move your time because you finished when you finished. Your jet is waiting on you.
G5…….. Playa
gannex says
Daily reminder that reducing GHG with direct air carbon capture is perpetual motion.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_air_capture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_air_capture)
If you use fossil fuel-generated electricity, you will always release much more CO2 than you capture. If you use green electricity, you capture more CO2 than you release, but the mass captured is always orders of magnitude less than the amount released due to diverting that green electricity from productive uses.
Cacharadon says
Do as I say, not as I do plebs
QuentinUK says
In 1517, Pope Leo X offered indulgences for those who gave alms to rebuild St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Kind_Bullfrog_4073 says
It’s 2023 though. He can just post TikToks to travel the world.
Different-Group-782 says
Appear virtually and make that part of your agenda of leading by example.
Poppy-Tea-Time says
TlDR: He’s a giant fucking hypocrite.
Basically, he believes he can pay to expunge his climate impact. Kind of like how Catholics allowed nobility and rich people to buy indulgences so they could sin however they wanted, while telling other people not to.
This just comes down to another way for the ultra rich to live as luxuriously and avariciously as they want, while evangelizing for changes that will massively effect the “poors” but won’t affect the rich at all.