Microsoft founder Bill Gates, in his book “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster,” proposes a global – yes, world-wide – solution to climate change.
That’s ambitious. Does he succeed? Find out from this conversation with environmental attorney Tom Campbell, who played a key role in resolving the infamous Exxon Valdez crisis.
This is part 1 of a two-part interview.
Resources on the Bill Gates episode:
- The Bill Gates book How to Avoid a Climate Disaster on Amazon.
- Tom Campbell’s biography.
- Tom Campbell mentions his pioneering role in the “Natural Resource Damage Assessment,” an important tool in the arsenal of the Federal Government. Here’s an explainer by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA).
- Flooding of Galveston:
- In the conversation I mention that large parts of Galveston Island will likely flood as a result of sea level rise and climate change. That prediction comes from the website Climate Central, a tool recommended by Texas climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe.
- To find the map to which I am referring, go to Climate Central, here. Select “Coastal Risk Screening Tool: Map by Year”. In the map that comes up, enter Galveston Island as your place. In the left-hand panel (or at least it’s on the left hand if you’re using a desktop computer), in settings, you can specify the year and other parameters such as pollution level.
- If you only select “sea level rise” by 2050, a fourth of Galveston Island will be “redded out” as being “below water level.”If you select “sea level rise and annual flood level,” then over half of Galveston Island will be marked as submerged.
Bill Gates Wrote “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” – Episode Transcript
To view the episode transcript, click here to open the pdf file.