You know how rich people secretly long to colonise other planets so they can leave all the poor people on the doomed earth behind? Well, when that inevitably happens, who'll do everything for them? Will Elon Musk have to get Bill Gates coffee or will everything be done by robots?

When I got the email through from NetGalley I almost ignored it. I try not to request too many books, I have a massive tbr as it is! But something in the tag line caught me, and I opened the email up. A book about climate change? Well now this is right up my alley, I can't not request it! I was so excited that I requested it via ebook and also audiobook, and I got both! I mainly read the book via ebook as I knew I'd want to see the graphs, but I listened to the audiobook as well and really enjoyed that experience.

Now you might be thinking, you just mentioned graphs, why would I want to listen to this via audiobook if I'm able to use another option? Well, Gates and the publishers thought of this! For those of you who use audiobooks due to visual impairments, the graphs are explained well and you will be able to understand the data in them from the way the information is described. For those who listen to audiobooks merely out of preference, this audiobook actually comes with a digital booklet that shows the graphs.
Now not only is that pretty cool, but the "text" of the book is also a little different in the audiobook in order for it to reference those graphs and tell you to go hunt them out. I liked this little change that technically doesn't matter, but it makes the experience of listening to the book that much more immersive. And who doesn't love those little bits of attention to details!

Bill Gates himself reads the introduction of the audiobook, with Wil Wheaton reading the majority of the book. I personally preferred Wheaton's reading voice, which was good for me, but I liked that this includes Gates' voice as well. It allows you to be able to envisage the different inflictions and his tone of voice throughout the rest of the book, as well as adding a level of intimacy and relatability.

Moving away from the audiobook, but sticking with the voice of the book, Gates has a very interpersonal style throughout. It very much feels like he's sat down for a coffee with you somewhere, going over the data that he has and making an impassioned argument. I think this was a great choice as it will stop those unfamiliar with the subject from feeling as though they are being spoken down to. It also allows for moments of humour and self-clarity which allow you to connect with the author and be more invested in the points he's making.

Now, onto the guts of the book.

This was such an incredibly interesting read. As someone who has studied climate change from an environmental perspective I've always had views and opinions about what needs to be done and the steps that are currently being taken. I'd never, however, seen anything from a business perspective that was actively encouraging taking steps to go green. That? Well that was the biggest takeaway for me from this book. This book not only goes into what can be done about climate change on various levels (more on that in a moment) but it breaks it down to the respective costs, compares this to the costs of how the current methods run, and then talks about the green tax that is present and how this can be reduced through innovation and legislation.

The clear breakdown of the cost of these carbon neutral methods, as well as a clear comparison to current costs, really brings the reality of the economic side of this proposal to light. The reality is that without the backing of those with economic power, it will be all but impossible to reach carbon neutrality. Therefore, these steps which encourage and motivate greener alternatives are so important to implement. The importance of governments, on a local, national, and international level, is clearly demonstrated. With Gates even going as far to provide examples of how they could and should act in order to bring us closer to carbon zero.

In terms of those steps that can be carried out in order to reduce the carbon that is emitted into the atmosphere, these are split up into clear steps. Showing the emitters and what can be done about these. From manufacturing, to farming, to transport and more. Each polluter is mentioned, their impact demonstrated, and various options for how these can be tackled are brought to the table. The weaknesses of the solutions is also mentioned, as without those the arguments aren't worth a penny. Gates also proposes solutions to these. Sometimes these are concrete, actual options (including options for greener concrete!), and sometimes it is simply stating that we need to carry out more research in these areas. That there needs to be more funding.

Of course Gates has been known to invest in many a start-up or a R&D opportunity. In order to reduce his bias, he doesn't mention these companies by name throughout the book. I'm sure with a little bit of sleuthing you'd be able to match up the companies that he's talking about to his investments, but the intent is clear. Regardless of his economic investment in these companies, his investment in the issue itself is just as strong.

This is a book that I wish more people would read. For those who state that they don't care about the environment I believe it could offer some clarity. For those who are economically focused it could also explain not only why they should care but also how they could benefit from these changes. And overall it would raise awareness. I went into this expecting just a simple little book. I should've expected more from Gates. This was an in depth, well researched non-fiction that establishes many useful ground points that can be built upon in order for us to avoid a climate disaster.

I have reviewed both the text and the audio versions of this book. The vast majority of the content of my reviews are the same as, of course, it's the same book. But I have attempted to focus more on the aspect of the text itself within this version of my review.

Bill Gates provides a rigorous overview of the biggest climate challenges we face, the technologies we have to fight them and the innovations we still - quite urgently - require to solve them. The book does an excellent job of jargon-busting and explaining the science it discusses, without ever sounding condescending. I thought it was really valuable that the audiobook comes with a PDF offering all of the graphs and data to which the book makes reference, a really good addition as Gates is particularly good at putting statistics into perspective and teaching readers how to interpret data they come across in the future with confidence. In fact, far from making a reader feel helpless, his macro approach to the climate emergency helps individuals to see how their choices as consumers (and carbon producers) can have a tangible impact on global policy. Gates is also able to offer personal insights from the work of his foundation and the research he invests in, but is equally good at 'passing the mic' and - also - admitting his own shortcomings in the fight against climate disaster.

Very informative overview of global situation and how we got here. Can read in bite size chunks to absorb facts and figures if you are new to climate change. Clarification of some assumptions frequently made and all delivered in easy straight forward style. Read by the author so it’s like he is talking to just you and not just reading a script. Came away with a greater awareness and energy to do something towards making a better world for our children, and appreciate those already driving forward. Thank you #NetGalley for the audiobook.

The call to action is strong for all of us. Climate change is happening rapidly now. I was reminded through this book that the poor will suffer the most from climate change. The droughts in Ethiopia etc are all a matter of climate change. This book reminds us that we are responsible at an individual level to care for our planet and reduce our carbon footprints but also that corporates and global conglomerates must also act responsibly to ensure a future for all.

Interesting, thought-provoking, great discussion document. This is a well laid out strategy to get to zero emissions by 2050. Gates does not think he has all the answers but lays out the end goal and possible routes to achieving it. He makes some important points like planning for the ultimate goal not focusing on short term achievements that produce dead ends. He mentions this in relation to power plants. There's no point spending billions on slightly more efficient plants that last 30+ years if they still won't achieve the required reduction of carbon emissions, Better to wait a few years even but then have a long term efficient plant.

Being a business man, he knows that no-one will want green energy if it's twice the price of regular. He sees innovation as an important step to affordable green energy. Typically he doesn't suggest energy greedy countries like the USA should use less energy. He does point out that consumption in poor countries will increase dramatically.

Some of his ideas are controversial eg. spreading particles in the upper atmosphere to reflect the sun. Sounds like a scenario of a disaster movie. Also, development of newer varieties of crops with a higher yield though GM wasn't mentioned and growing meat in a laboratory rather than using animals.

Having Gates getting involved with the reduction of carbon emissions is important as he can access world leader, scientists and where necessary provide financing.

This is an honest review of a complementary ARC.

My thanks to Penguin Random House U.K. Audio for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook edition of ‘How to Avoid a Climate Disaster’ by Bill Gates. It is narrated by Will Wheaton and Bill Gates with a running time of 7 hours, 12 minutes at 1x speed.

The subtitle of this work of nonfiction is: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need. Bill Gates, primarily known for his work with Microsoft, has spent a decade investigating the causes and effects of climate change. He draws on a wide variety of experts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, political science, and finance, and focuses on what must be done in order to stop the planet's slide toward certain environmental disaster.

The subject of climate change is a vast one and it can feel overwhelming for the individual. The book contains a lot of facts and figures and seems to be suggesting solutions rather than just pointing out that the human race and/or planet is doomed.

I felt that Gates wrote in an accessible way that made it easier to understand the issues. Gates also notes the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic upon the environment.

Gates reads the Introduction and Afterword while Will Wheaton handles the individual chapters between. Wheaton is a prolific voice actor and I have enjoyed his work on a variety of audiobooks over the years. He also conveys great enthusiasm for the subject matter.

Overall, a thought-provoking book on a vitally important subject.

After doing a large amount of research on climate change for my masters, this book felt like a must. People are truly unaware of the consequences of climate change, and it scares me! This book has the added appeal of being written by Bill Gates.
I listened to the audiobook version and I did find the speed a little slow, but I easily rectified this by speeding up the play back.
I really loved how easy this was to follow, and how it wasn’t just about bombarding you with facts, but more subtly explaining the things that are going on around us, and how we all have a part in it!!

In this book, Gates makes a compelling, reasoned and fact-substantiated case for financial and policy interventions to get to net zero and avoid the very worst effects of climate breakdown. While I am still unconvinced about the feasibility of technology/interventions like Direct Air Capture and geoengineering, there is a huge amount of sense packed into what is actually a comparatively short read compared to books like 'This Changes Everything' by Naomi Klein.

Gates is good at drawing our attention to less-talked-about aspects of carbon emissions, such as the contribution of concrete and steel. And no one can fault Gates' humanitarian work and passion; he is forever bringing the conversation back to developing countries and vulnerable groups. His book is one of scale and precision, looking at the big picture as well as the many ways that consumers, companies, policy makers and nations can each make their own contributions to the fight against the current system that is creating climate breakdown.

Still, I noticed a few omissions, for example the problems with the WTO (explained brilliantly by Naomi Klein in her aforementioned book). Gates also ducks away from the thorny yet vital issue of behaviour change, particularly in relation to meat-eating. He acknowledges the huge contribution of meat production to climate breakdown, but goes no further than encouraging people to cut how many beefburgers they eat and to try a plant-based burger. Yes, it will be challenging to get so many people in the world to shift away from their meat-heavy diets, but it must be done; the future of so much life on Earth depends on it.

In all, Gates' book is an important contribution to the "lay person's" literature on climate breakdown, and perhaps one that even policymakers will take notice of (I live in hope). But there are many other equally important, and differing, voices out there.

(With thanks to PRH and NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review)

This book is an easy read as Gates has researched climate change and transformed the facts into words anybody can understand. This book is informative and gives some solutions to the climate disaster. I listened to the audio and Wil Wheaton has an enjoyable voice. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about where our planets is heading.

Thank you to Penguin Random House UK Audio for this advanced readers copy.

Bill Gates explores many solutions and ways to fight climate changing; through changes in policy, in individual behavior and in business. Great narration by Will Weaton.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK Audio for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I've been really looking forward to reading this book and I'm incredibly grateful to be gifted an audio copy. The narrator, Wil Wheaton does a fantastic job with this one, I love his book narration having heard him narrate Ready Player One previously. I was also really curious to hear what Bill Gates has to say, and his take on the Climate Disaster, I found this book to be incredibly interesting and educational and despite being a billionaire, Bill Gates is making a genuine effort to lower his carbon footprint or offset the carbon unlike many others.

How to Avoid a Climate Disaster. This book covers one of the single most important topics facing the earth as a whole, written by Bill Gates and enforces such an important message.

Fossils fuels - they’re so entrenched into our everyday lives, the way we live and how we produce everything we’re so accustomed to having. How we can reverse the damage, adapt to change and forge a new way is steeped in difficultly, which is where this great book comes in. Presenting forth the change and information needed to tackle the problems ahead.

Includes: Why getting to 0 is so important, it covers the ground foundations of climate change, laying down the facts, the science, the projected future, what can be done and what the components of our carbon emissions are (eg agriculture, industrial processes etc..). I love how this was split into succinct chapters and sub chapters, making the information easier to digest. At the end, the book also includes what you can do, as an individual to make a difference.

It’s extensive, expansive and so informative and I loved how it was written. Very accessible for any reader, whether it’s your first time reading anything on climate change or whether you’re a seasoned climate change expert.

There is a lot of information in here, and of course, it can get overwhelming as there is just so much on this topic to cover! I would probably give it an extra star the second time round of reading, to further absorb the facts and information given and also think reading it as well as listening to the audiobook would be beneficial. Although there is a handy PDF accompaniment to the audiobook to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the diagrams, pictures and graphs which is fab.

I have to admit, I did lose my way a couple of time’s as this is definitely not a book you can afford to breeze in and out of concentration to, but it didn’t take long to snap back into it if you had a small waver in consciousness for a bit (guilty!). It’s one of those books that you want to sit with and write notes too, as there’s so many useful nuggets of knowledge and information.

This audiobook was great too, fantastically narrated and very easy to listen to which isn’t always the case with non fiction books. I learnt a lot and didn’t know nearly as much as I thought I did, which was both humbling and brilliant as it just goes to show there’s just so much more to it that each of us can endeavour to learn.

Hearing about the steps Bill Gates was taking to lower carbon emissions and work towards getting us towards the magic 0 was brilliant and it just fills you with a small glimmer of hope when someone so financially endowed and highly influential is on the side of protecting the world and addressing the hugely problematic issue of climate change. It isn’t all doom and gloom, misery and ‘were all done for’, it’s underlined with hope and potential, turns for change and how we can work to undo the damage to the climate.

I also loved the inclusion of the pandemic and Covid-19 with several references to it mentioned throughout. It was such a here and now and highly relevant book, important for all and everyone to read.