• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Bill Gates' seriously awkward response to being called a climate change hypocrite for flying on a private jet

Home> News

Published 17:16 12 Feb 2023 GMT

Bill Gates' seriously awkward response to being called a climate change hypocrite for flying on a private jet

After a journalist asked him if he was a climate change hypocrite, the billionaire offered a curious answer

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

There is no doubt that in recent years, the discussion surrounding climate change has increased massively as our planet continues to warm up to concerning levels.

Many high-profile names have spoken often about the fight against climate change, including the likes of King Charles.

Another man who is also trying to do his bit is Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who has spoken in the past about ways consumers can drive change with climate-friendly products.

Writing on a Reddit QnA last year, Gates said that if consumers opt to buy more expensive products that contribute less carbon admissions, then a large-scale rollout will commence because of demand.

This will therefore reduce costs and make even more people more likely to buy them.

Advert

He said: "As green products come out like electric cars or synthetic meat or heat pumps for home heating/cooling they will cost a bit extra.

"By buying these products you drive scaling up which will lead to lower prices so ‘green premiums’ are reduced."

Bill Gates has been a vocal advocate for initiatives that help combat climate change.
Luke MacGregor / Alamy Stock Photo

Well, Gates was put on the spot by the BBC in a recent interview when he was asked if he thought he is a hypocrite for frequently using a private jet.

Advert

Journalist Amol Rajan caught the billionaire a bit off guard, with Gates responding with a seriously awkward answer.

"What do you say to the charge that if you are a climate change campaigner, but you also travel around the world on a private jet, you're a hypocrite?" the BBC journalist said.

Gates awkwardly replied: "I buy the gold standard of funding Climeworks to do direct air capture that far exceeds my family's carbon footprint and I spend billions of dollars on climate innovation."

Gates couldn't have been more awkward if he tried.
BBC

Advert

Climeworks is a company that uses direct air capture technology to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over a period of six years, according to Yahoo News.

Gates added: "I spend billions of dollars on ... climate innovation. So, you know, should I stay at home and not come to Kenya and learn about farming and malaria?”

"I’m comfortable with the idea that I am not part of the problem by paying for the offsets.

"Also, from the billions that my Breakthrough Energy group are spending, I’m part of the solution."

Advert

Since the interview first aired on BBC News, Gates has received a fair bit of criticism for the response he gave.

Featured Image Credit: BBC

Topics: Bill Gates, Climate Change, Money, Environment

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

10 mins ago
27 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Alex Wong/Getty Images/MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
    10 mins ago

    Barack Obama opens up on decision to speak out against Trump after leaving the Oval Office

    The former president has been a continued critic of the current White House occupant

    News
  • Getty Images/SAUL LOEB
    27 mins ago

    Truth behind whether Trump can actually impose 1807 law which could cause chaos in American cities

    Experts have shared insight after the POTUS threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act

    News
  • Getty Images/Milan Markovic
    an hour ago

    'Zip coding' dating trend explained as your significant other could be doing it without you even knowing

    The latest dating trend is taking the internet by storm

    News
  • Thaddaeus McAdams/Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Cardi B has extreme NSFW response to why she 'keeps getting pregnant'

    The 'WAP' hitmaker previously revealed how she wanted her growing brood to do 'better' than her

    Celebrity
  • Bill Gates’ daughter reveals one of the difficult parts of being a ‘nepo baby’
  • Staggering amount Bill Gates would be worth if he lost 99% of wealth as he reveals who'll get his fortune
  • Bill Gates says using his private jets doesn’t undermine climate change views
  • Bill Gates admits his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was a ‘huge mistake’