Try GOLD - Free
'FINITE RESOURCES': GATES' SHIFT STIRS CLIMATE CRITIQUE
Los Angeles Times
|November 07, 2025
Microsoft billionaire defends his refocusing of philanthropic funds toward poor countries, an effort some see as misguided
ALEX WONG Getty Images MICROSOFT co-founder Bill Gates speaks at a Sept. 4 dinner with President Trump, the first lady and business leaders.
Last week, Bill Gates published a 17-page memo on his personal website that critics said pitted climate and public health efforts against each other, when they should instead be working in tandem.
Monday night, speaking at Caltech in Pasadena, Gates doubled down, brushing off the critiques that came from across the ideological spectrum, including from climate scientists and President Trump.
Stressing that philanthropic resources are finite, Gates said he has shifted some of his efforts from preventing climate change to reducing human disease and malnutrition in a world that he said will undoubtedly become warmer.
The United Nations' 2025 Emissions Gap Report, published Tuesday, says it's likely that by 2100, global temperatures will have increased between 2.0 and 2.4 degrees Celsius compared with preindustrial levels.
Gates said he believes that number will be closer to 3 degrees Celsius.
This story is from the November 07, 2025 edition of Los Angeles Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
Kim is in limbo after ‘silliest fall’
American snowboarding star Chloe Kim said Thursday that she took “the silliest fall” in training and dislocated her shoulder, threatening her chance to win a third straight gold medal at next month's Winter Olympics in Italy.
1 min
January 09, 2026
Los Angeles Times
Hall of Fame goaltender, ironman Hall dies at 94
Glenn Hall, a Hockey Hall of Famer whose ironman streak of 502 starts as a goaltender remains an NHL record, has died.
1 min
January 09, 2026
Los Angeles Times
Mexico’s leader touts sharp drop in homicides
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum unveiled new data on Thursday showing daily homicides have dropped 40% nationwide since she took office, a major reduction that she has highlighted in part to show the Trump administration that Mexico is making gains in its fight against organized crime.
2 mins
January 09, 2026
Los Angeles Times
Maryland Democrat Hoyer says he'll retire at end of term
Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the longest-serving Democrat in Congress and once a rival to become House speaker, announced Thursday that he will retire at the end of his term.
2 mins
January 09, 2026
Los Angeles Times
U.S. withholds funds from state over truckers' licenses
California had extended a deadline for immigrant drivers
2 mins
January 09, 2026
Los Angeles Times
On Skid Row, GOP candidate faults Democrats
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, one of the top Republican candidates running for California governor, met a woman sprawled on the sidewalk as he walked around Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles.
4 mins
January 09, 2026
Los Angeles Times
Clippers cooled off by the Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns had 20 points, Il rebounds and a season-high seven assists, Jalen Brunson scored 26 points and the New York Knicks ended their four-game losing streak with a 123-111 victory over the Clippers on Wednesday night.
1 min
January 09, 2026
Los Angeles Times
Bulgarian diplomat to head peace board in Gaza
The appointment, announced by Israel, is a key step forward for the U.S. plan.
4 mins
January 09, 2026
Los Angeles Times
Five favorites emerge in the race
DGA delivers its nods for feature films, a key Oscar predictor. Who will reign 'Supreme'?
2 mins
January 09, 2026
Los Angeles Times
House bucks speaker, votes to extend healthcare subsidies
In a remarkable rebuke of Republican leadership, the House passed legislation Thursday, in a 230-196 vote, that would extend expired healthcare subsidies for those who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act as renegade GOP lawmakers joined essentially all Democrats in voting for the measure.
3 mins
January 09, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size