I think his “Yeah, I fly all over the globe in my private jet” take is horror comedy.
Very wealthy individuals should also be making changes to their lifestyles to bring their emissions close to zero. If you fly in a private jet, as I do, you can afford the extra cost of sustainable aviation fuel made from low-carbon crops and waste. You’ll not only lower your own emissions; you’ll also help drive demand for clean fuel, which will increase the supply and eventually make it cheap enough to use more widely in commercial aircraft. That will be a game changer for reducing emissions from long-distance air travel, which remains one of the toughest climate problems.
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A comment…
Edward
Wichita, KS
2h ago
Dear Mr. Gates, thanks for your concern. Having just read in these pages that ethanol is now going to be the the basis for jet fuel, I’m sure every farm in the US will now grow corn exclusively. That should be great for the purveyors of bottled water, as the aquifers will drain even faster. But private jet owners can congratulate themselves that their global emissions are pure.
How about just paying taxes?
He starts talking to himself. “There is food on and near the island. For example - I will innovate my way into this coconut!” Unfortunately the last time he used a tool was in 1992 when his handyman and aides were busy with other projects that morning. He used a screwdriver and in trying to hang a painting the stripped the screw and the $400,000 painting nearly fell to the ground. It was insured of course but still. He had to wait a few hours until others fixed the problem.
He finds an impact rock. He sets up the coconut on a flat base rock. He takes aim. He brings the impact rock down on the coconut. The coconut “jumps” on impact and the impact rock badly cuts his other hand. “Oh fuck that hurts! That cut is deep. I need to go to the emergency ro— Okay, okay. Stay relaxed. I will innovate my way out of this problem. I wonder if I can make a painkiller out of coconut bark? Or leaves of something? Fuck does this hurt!..”