Bill Gates predicts rising tensions between US and China over climate change – ‘tricky’
Joe Biden's coordination with EU on China discussed by expert
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In his new book, “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster,” the Microsoft magnate explained that powerful nations should aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, environmental relations between the US and China could become a “tricky task” for US President Joe Biden, according to Mr Gates.
The billionaire pointed out that the Biden Administration would face a “complex relationship” with Beijing if it decides to demand it accelerates its carbon emission cutback.
He told Yahoo Finance: “Their current commitment is zero by 2060.
“So how can we — in a win-win kind of way — get them to bring that date earlier, and not have them promoting coal in such a big way?”
Mr Gates previously voiced his environmental concerns in a post written in The Blog of Bill Gates.
He compared the coronavirus pandemic to the climate change emergency, claiming the latter could be “worse”.
The businessman, who co-chairs the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, wrote: “A global crisis has shocked the world.
“It is causing a tragic number of deaths, making people afraid to leave home, and leading to economic hardship not seen in many generations. Its effects are rippling across the world.
“Obviously, I am talking about COVID-19. But in just a few decades, the same description will fit another global crisis: climate change. As awful as this pandemic is, climate change could be worse.
“I realise that it’s hard to think about a problem like climate change right now.
“When disaster strikes, it is human nature to worry only about meeting our most immediate needs, especially when the disaster is as bad as COVID-19.”
The software developer went on to highlight the catastrophes climate change can bring upon humanity on a regular basis.
He wrote: “If you want to understand the kind of damage that climate change will inflict, look at COVID-19 and spread the pain out over a much longer period of time.
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“The loss of life and economic misery caused by this pandemic are on par with what will happen regularly if we do not eliminate the world’s carbon emissions.”
However, during an interview with Fox News’ Chris Wallace on Sunday, Mr Gates made it clear that hopes of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 are “completely unrealistic”.
In a discussion about the criticism of his ideas for carbon emission reduction, Mr Gates said: “It’s completely unrealistic to think we could eliminate emissions by 2030.”
He added: “Not seeing that this problem is hard will be part of the difficulty of getting engaged in it.”
Mr Gates warned the effects of climate change will affect other geopolitical factors.
He said: “The migration that we saw out of Syria for their civil war was somewhat weather-dependant.
“We’re going to have 10 times as much migration because the equatorial areas will become unlivable, you won’t be able to farm or go outside during the summer.”
He added: “It’s all a matter of degree.
“If we wait 10 more years it’s not as bad as if we wait 20 or you wait 30 because the temperature just keeps going up.”
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