A very informative and honest book on climate change.
I am always keen to learn more especially when it comes to climate change, I felt that this book was easily accessible whilst still going into new and deep detail about things that i hadn't considered or heard of before. I learnt a lot especially with regards to the more scientific and realistic monetary issues with ways to help climate change.

Interesting viewpoint on the climate emergency, focusing primarily on technological advancement, government intervention and consumers demanding better from companies and products.

Provides a helpful summary of the various contributers to and challenges of climate change, before outlining the solutions being explored, from the unique perspective of a billionaire philanthropist who has invested in a number of related projects.

How to Avoid a Climate Disaster reads very quickly and well, as well as covers a lot of basics of Climate Change, greenhouse gases, causes of greenhouse gases/ Climate Change, production and consumption, so it is a great book if you are a newbie and don’t know much about ins and outs of Climate Change, but want to learn more or just want a quick yet reliable summary.

The book is basically divided into two parts. The first part is all about setting the scene and explaining what is Climate Change, why it is a problem, how this all came about and summarising all the facts and figures about the problem we as a society currently face. The second part is all about solutions to Climate Change, including innovations, changes in policies, governments' attitudes, as well as binding agreements between the countries. Gates in the second part of the book doesn’t shy away from portraying future possibilities if we don’t do anything about Climate Change, but he also discusses and displays what changes need to be made in different parts of our economies, industries and societies to achieve zero carbon and to reduce Climate Change impacts on communities and humans significantly.

This book was very interesting and covered quite a lot of solutions to fight climate change that isn’t usually covered by mainstream media and news. Also, Gates talks about different start-up companies, highlighting their innovations in tackling climate change, which gives a glimpse of hope that not everything is lost and we can make changes needed to restore our environment. He also makes a strong point that we need to move towards cleaner energy as soon as possible, but in order to do that we need to invest more in those industries and change our opinions on low-carbon and renewable energy into more positive ones.

Unlike in many other Climate Change books, Gates only slightly touches on individual action regarding Climate Change issues. He mainly concentrates on what different industries and governments can do to reduce their reliance on fossils, reduce consumption, change materials into more sustainable ones, etc. I really enjoyed this take on Climate Change, as there aren’t a lot of books that look at the issues regarding Climate Change from this particular viewpoint.

I also liked that Gates displayed how much Climate Change is affecting and will affect more of our everyday life and how it, directly and indirectly, links to nearly every challenge societies across the world currently face.

Overall: Verry well written, easily understood, with complex processes explained in great depth and ease. The perfect book for someone who wants to learn more about Climate Change, but doesn’t know where to start, as this book summarises everything you need to know about it in one place and without complex scientific language, which is at times hard to grasp. Additionally, relevant and simple graphs, pictures and diagrams allow information to be better digested, especially as the complex numbers and graphs that are usually associated with production and consumption are very well explained to the reader. This book also offers a glimpse of hope by diving into new innovations and technologies in tackling different issues that are arising due to Climate Change. I honestly didn’t think I will enjoy this book as much as I did!

This book uses a lot of words and page retail space to say a lot but then end up not saying much, contradicting itself at many points. Reads a lot like a 'in the zone' 'rambling' of a techie mind, which then ends up not giving actual actionable solutions the world and the lay person can actually do to make the situation better.
A lot of talk to not say much, in the end, sadly

Super inspiring. Every chapter focuses on a different part that causes climate change and how to fix it. Liked getting info on new technologies as well.

I was intrigued by this book and found it very interesting hearing Bill Gates take on climate change and his opinions on how to reach zero greenhouse gas emissions.

My opinion of the content changes throughout. I suppose working working sustainability within a large PLC company gives me a unique perspective on these problems and solutions compared to if I didn’t work in the industry.

It annoyed me slightly that he didn’t focus on reducing our usage as the first hierarchy stage but focused most of his energy on creating more green energy. Meaning there was actually very little in there about what you could do. It focused mainly on governments, companies and technology - which of course is important but to grab the reader and engage with them it’s usually good to know how they could also reduce their consumption etc.

My copy’s format of numbers throughout the whole book was off and I wasn’t able view any of the graphs or charts, which was a little annoying.

On balance I’m going to rate this one a 3/5, if you wanted to get up to speed with the situation this would be a mostly factual and interesting book to do this with. However, I did not love it!

Time to roll up our sleeves and take action

Bill Gates has applied his extensive influence, contacts and wealth to climate change. He takes climate change and mankind’s involvement in causing it as read and focusses on what we can and must do to keep the temperature rise as low as possible and get to zero carbon by 2050.

His message is clear, it won’t be easy but the longer we leave taking action the harder and more radical the changes needed to have any impact will be. Working through the key topics in turn he looks at the options available to us now and in the near future. The book is refreshingly matter of fact, we can all do our bit to help in various ways, including recycling, thinking carefully about what we buy, through to putting pressure on politicians to make and enforce the policy changes needed to support the development of new technologies.

Climate change will affect everyone on this planet and the better informed we are the better equipped we’ll be to deal with it. I learned a lot from Bill Gates’ book and finished it feeling cautiously optimistic and determined to carry on doing my bit and spread the word.

I was given this book from the author via netgalley only for the pleasure of reading and leaving an honest review should I choose to.

I know what you’re thinking, as I thought it too for a while – ‘Why do we need billionaire Bill Gates preaching to us about climate change?’. But it’s obvious from this book that Bill Gates is the type of billionaire that is using his money to try and better the planet we’re living on, and not abandoning it to travel into space – so far so good.

From reading How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, you can see how Bill Gates’ philanthropy in the fields of global poverty, disease and education led to an understanding that those issues are intrinsically tied to climate. Climate change disproportionately affects those in developing countries, from families farming smallholdings and suffering the effects of drought to weather changes causing extreme weather events. It’s clear that we all play a part in preserving the planet, but in this book, Bill Gates focuses on industrial and large-scale environmental programmes that can reassure us that there are people out there looking at the bigger picture.

Environmental policy – particularly in this country – seems to be a series of ministers wringing their hands, promising net zero, and then failing to implement the policies they have put in place. It seems, more and more, up to us as consumers to demand better from producers, while clearing up the messes that their products have been made.

While you’re recycling crisp packets, or litter picking your local area it can seem like you’re the only one who cares, but this book goes some way to reaasure that there are people looking at the high-end, technological solutions that could help us avoid calamity.

There are some fascination projects included in this book, many of which we wouldn’t even think of as individuals. The experts that Bill Gates has spoken to are working innovatively to produce real results that go way beyond carbon capture and recycling. Although this book is not a fun read in the traditional sense, it is hopeful and encouraging if you ever feel like you’re trying to save the planet by yourself!

Bill Gates is a lot of things, but a climate change expert isn’t really one of them. Bear with me here, but I feel that’s actually a good thing. Having read a lot of books on this subject, both for studies and just general interest, I have to concede that most science-focused offerings on the topic can be a little dry and not necessarily the most accessible. Providing a passionate layman’s view, this book succeeds in addressing these two potential failings on this topic. Gates’ passion for solving this global issue is evident throughout ‘How to Avoid a Climate Disaster’ and was somewhat infectious. It was a thought-provoking read to at provided a good introduction to possible solutions and real-world steps to achieve zero emissions. The book was not perfect and the discussions around nuclear power could have been a bit more balanced (for context I am a supporter of nuclear power as a solution, but the nuances around this debate could have been explored in greater detail). Nevertheless, Gates’ book on is an important and timely addition to the literature on climate change. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it without hesitation.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

A timely and important read for anyone who wants to understand more about the climate crisis, particularly the tension between capitalist growth and sustainability. Gates offers his views about what needs to be done next and how we can promote positive change.

Didn’t really like it. I find the author to be somewhat hypocritical. Telling folk to be more sustainable whilst jetting about in a private jet seems a tadge condescending to me

After reading this book I feel as though my understanding of climate change has increased ten-fold. Bill gates manages to explain what the issues are and how we, individuals, cities, states, countries etc) need to do if we are to have any chance of reaching event the current targets in a way that is clear and concise.
I now understand what the main causes are, what the scale is and just how difficult it will be for us all. Just using electric vehicles and cutting down on meat will not do it. We need to be ready and willing to experience some 'pain' if we really are interested in zero Carbon.
My only small issue with the book (and I can understand the reason) is that it is a little too US centric for me in the UK. Some of the solutions Bill states are not probably not achievable (like the electrification of the haulage sector) are much easier to achieve here where truck drivers are limited to four hours driving and then a mandatory rest period (when electric vehicles could be charged if the infrastructure was in place)..
I definitely recommend this book for any one who is not a climate expert but wants to learn more about the reality rather than the political spin.

The world is a disaster waiting to happen. Up until recently Bill Gates has contributed more than helping avoid it.
He obviously understands the issues behind climate change and the dangers for the future of earth and our children.
He is a well known philanthropist but am positive he could focus more of his time and money on helping the earth survive.
A lot of what he says is true but am unsure that governments will necessarily act/react the way he suggests.
Some good ideas but also lots of basic info and repetition.
Let’s see if his actions reflects his words.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for a fair review.
3 Stars ⭐️

A fascinating book that consolidates facts relating to many of the areas affecting climate change. I found it to be a very readable and informative book. I thought it had a positive skew as Gates talks about what we are doing, as well as what we need to address further. There is a bit of repetition across chapters but that’s understandable when so many issues are interrelated. The main thing that I take away from this fact-based book is that we can all do something, however small, to help with climate change. New solutions are being developed all the time and we need to support these developments in an effort to eliminate greenhouse gases.
There are formatting errors in the Kindle edition as no numbers are displayed: dates, percentages etc but this isn't reflected in my rating as I bought a paper copy and read that. Just a note to the publisher.
Thank you to Bill Gates and Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, let's first address the elephant in the room. Yes, Bill Gates is filthy rich, recently purchased yet another holiday home and certainly has a huge carbon footprint when compared to the average person. We have to therefore acknowledge that it is a little bit rich (sorry, unavoidable pun) for him to be preaching to the unquestionably less wealthy masses about how to reduce their carbon footprint and think about green energy alternatives. Granted. He's potentially (probably) a massive hypocrite and should practice what he preaches.

BUT, let's also give him a bit of credit here for putting his celebrity status onto an issue which very much needs some backing and attention; it's certainly circulating very readable, accessible and needed information about a very important topic, so I can't really knock him for that.

What really lets this book down for me is that I learnt very little from it. Most British readers, for example (because I can't comment on elsewhere), should have a pretty solid grasp on the first 50% of this book already from their school teachings because it largely explains the basics. The remaining 50%, and the bit that really matters to be honest, is about what we do with what we understand about climate change and the cause of its disaster.

Unfortunately, much of what Gates suggest we should do is above our station - he suggests hen pecking institues and governments with greater powers than us to shift the culture and way of thinking is the way forward, for the most part (much in contrast to some reviews which suggest he merely tells us poor people how to live our poor lives a bit greener from his mansion). Sadly, whilst pecking at the powers above can certainly make a difference, especially if we all do it and make a real wave with it, I wanted to learn about what I could do, me personally in my own life, to reduce footprint and impact. Some of that is covered, but nothing you wouldn't have already worked out if you care about these issues.

I think this is a solid book, and certainly a great starting point for those wanting to learn about climate change without it being overly complicated or unnecessarily wordy in its delivery. But it wasn't the unique insight, or helpful nudge, I hoped it would be. Perhaps the powers that be might listen though, if he pays them enough.

ARC provided from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Highly readable, and extremely practical, Gates sorts out the mess of data in concise terms without making the information feel like too much. Initially disconcerting, the first part of the book lays out the problem by merging hard facts with snapshots of possible futures. But then the book turns around and lays out exactly what we can and need to do, and the challenges we face in the process. And to be clear, this isn't individual fixes. The focus is on widespread policy and economics. The end result is a jump start that alerts you, but also kicks you into gear. We all need to read this book, and get fired up before the Earth itself sets fire.

I know some people have grumbled about Bill Gates writing a book on climate change. But if we have to have billionaires, we want them to be involved in the biggest challenges facing humanity, rather than firing their money into space*. Even if you disagree, this is likely to be the most read climate book of the year. Politicians who read one climate book a decade will probably pick this one. It’s worth reading because it’s going to be influential.

Because he’s a very smart man, Gates is aware of the grumbling. “The world is not exactly lacking in rich men with big ideas about what other people should do” he says at the outset. “I can’t deny being a rich guy with an opinion. I do believe, though, that it is an informed opinion, and I am always trying to learn more.”

On that point, I would agree. As we’ve seen with his work on poverty, health, or unpopular topics like toilets, Gates has a huge capacity to take in information. He calls in experts and asks questions, and he has a genuine enthusiasm for topics others might find very boring, such as fertiliser or cement or the workings of the US energy grid. This pays off in the book’s approach, which is to distil the enormous wicked problem of climate change into categories that are easy to understand. There are five of them and they get a chapter each:

How we plug in
How we make things
How we grow things
How we get around
How we keep cool and stay warm

Across these five intuitively named chapters we get an analysis of renewable energy (alongside other options such as nuclear), low carbon agriculture, or air conditioning. Having worked in development, Gates has an eye on the difference energy can make in poorer countries, so that gets factored in here in ways that many climate books forget. The chapter on materials also covers a number of things that don’t get enough attention. “What’s your plan for cement?” is Gates’ shorthand reminder that every sector matters.

As you would expect, technological solutions are to the fore, showing where there are good technologies that can be accelerated, and where they are yet to be developed. Aviation, for example, has no substantial answer to low-carbon, long-distance flights. For some, that leaves no option but to suggest we do less of it, which is never an answer for Gates:

“When somebody wants toast for breakfast, we need to make sure there’s a system in place that can deliver the bread, the toaster, and the electricity to run the toaster without adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. We aren’t going to solve the climate problem by telling people not to eat toast.”

That’s an appealingly no-nonsense explanation, but there are plenty of examples of things where less would have multiple benefits. Most Americans would be healthier eating less meat, so ruling it out misses the opportunity for a win-win. The book has one sentence about walking and cycling in amongst its pages on electric cars, but there are multiple problems with traffic, well beyond carbon. And there are many advantages to active transport. The book’s unwillingness to countenance behaviour change is frustrating, as if (provided it is low carbon) consumer capitalism is the best of all possible worlds.

Still, Gates writes with clarity, the rigour of an analytical mind, and with glimpses of self-deprecating humour. He is aware of climate justice and the need for policy changes alongside technology – “techo-fixes are not sufficient, but they are necessary.” And that’s a pretty good way to sum up the book. The perspectives of American tech billionaires are not sufficient to avoid a climate disaster, but they are necessary.

The book was an easy read by a great communicator, though I felt that there was no great research or development. Bill Gates obviously cares about climate change, but it almost felt like someone else wrote the book and he added his voice. I've bought it for the library though, as it's still an important book.

This book is exaclty as I expected, I beleive everyone should read it at least once in their lfie. It will be interesting to come back to it in a few years and compare realities. Thank you for my ARC.