Bill Gates Hopes Elon Musk Will Address Climate Change, But Acknowledges His Unpredictability
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Bill Gates hopes Elon Musk will talk about climate but says the Tesla CEO will 'talk about whatever he feels like' | Business Insider India
Bill Gates believes Tesla is a "super important" contribution to combatting the climate crisis, but he hopes Elon Musk will discuss it more. Gates, who sat down with Bloomberg to talk about his climate tech investments, told the publication that he spoke to Musk during the Breakthrough Prize award ceremony in April. Bloomberg Senior Executive Editor John Fraher then asked the former Microsoft CEO whether he was "disappointed that Elon doesn't really seem to talk much about climate these days." "He's sort of more interested in talking about culture wars and other issues," Fraher said. Gates replied: "He talks a lot. I hope he'll talk more about climate. You know, he's very, very smart. He's made a contribution within that area that is super important." Fraher also asked the billionaire climate tech advocate if there were topics he wished Musk would touch on. "I don't think he'll listen to anybody telling him what to talk about," Gates said. "He's unique, and he'll talk about whatever he feels like." Gates and Musk have a history of commenting on each other during press interviews -- and they disagree on many topics. Gates once questioned Musk using his considerable fortune on getting humans to Mars, saying he would rather spend his own money funding vaccines to "save lives." However, he complimented Musk and said he would be a great philanthropist one day. Gates also told journalist Walter Isaacson that Musk once acted "super mean" toward him when he learned that Gates shorted Tesla stock. "Once he heard I'd shorted the stock, he was super mean to me, but he's super mean to so many people, so you can't take it too personally," Gates told Isaacson, later adding that he apologized to Musk. During the Bloomberg interview, Gates spoke about his climate investments and AI -- which Musk once said Gates has a "limited" knowledge of. Gates also admitted his own climate vices. "Flying from place to place is where I'd have my biggest footprint," Gates said. Representatives for Musk and Gates did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Bill Gates hopes Elon Musk will talk about climate but says the Tesla CEO will 'talk about whatever he feels like'
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. "He's sort of more interested in talking about culture wars and other issues," Fraher said. Gates replied: "He talks a lot. I hope he'll talk more about climate. You know, he's very, very smart. He's made a contribution within that area that is super important." Fraher also asked the billionaire climate tech advocate if there were topics he wished Musk would touch on. "I don't think he'll listen to anybody telling him what to talk about," Gates said. "He's unique, and he'll talk about whatever he feels like." Gates and Musk have a history of commenting on each other during press interviews -- and they disagree on many topics. Gates once questioned Musk using his considerable fortune on getting humans to Mars, saying he would rather spend his own money funding vaccines to "save lives." However, he complimented Musk and said he would be a great philanthropist one day. Gates also told journalist Walter Isaacson that Musk once acted "super mean" toward him when he learned that Gates shorted Tesla stock. "Once he heard I'd shorted the stock, he was super mean to me, but he's super mean to so many people, so you can't take it too personally," Gates told Isaacson, later adding that he apologized to Musk. During the Bloomberg interview, Gates spoke about his climate investments and AI -- which Musk once said Gates has a "limited" knowledge of. Gates also admitted his own climate vices. "Flying from place to place is where I'd have my biggest footprint," Gates said. Representatives for Musk and Gates did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Bill Gates expresses his desire for Elon Musk to focus on climate change issues, while recognizing Musk's tendency to discuss various topics of his choosing. Gates highlights the importance of addressing climate change and the potential impact of influential figures like Musk.
Gates' Perspective on Musk and Climate Change
Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist, recently shared his thoughts on Elon Musk's potential role in addressing climate change. In an interview with Bloomberg News, Gates expressed his hope that Musk would use his platform to discuss climate-related issues, but acknowledged that the Tesla CEO is known for his unpredictable nature when it comes to public discourse
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.The Importance of Influential Voices
Gates emphasized the significance of having influential figures like Musk speak about climate change. He stated, "I hope he talks about climate. But you know, he'll talk about whatever he feels like"
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. This statement highlights the potential impact that high-profile individuals can have on raising awareness and driving action on critical global issues.Musk's Contributions to Sustainable Technology
Despite his unpredictable public persona, Musk has made significant contributions to sustainable technology through his companies. Tesla, in particular, has been at the forefront of electric vehicle production and innovation. Gates acknowledged Musk's efforts in this area, saying, "He's done a great job with Tesla"
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.Gates' Focus on Climate Change
Bill Gates has been a vocal advocate for addressing climate change and has invested heavily in clean energy initiatives. He has consistently emphasized the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for innovative solutions. In the interview, Gates reiterated his commitment to climate action, stating, "I'm very focused on climate change"
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.The Broader Context of Climate Advocacy
The discussion around Musk's potential role in climate advocacy comes at a time when there is growing pressure on influential individuals and corporations to take a stand on environmental issues. Gates' comments reflect a broader trend of public figures using their platforms to raise awareness about climate change and encourage action.
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The Power of Technology in Combating Climate Change
Both Gates and Musk have demonstrated the potential for technology to play a crucial role in addressing climate change. While Gates has focused on various clean energy solutions and climate-related philanthropic efforts, Musk's work with Tesla has helped accelerate the transition to electric vehicles
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.The Need for Collaborative Efforts
Gates' comments also underscore the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling global challenges like climate change. By expressing his hope for Musk to engage in climate discussions, Gates highlights the potential impact of united voices from influential tech leaders in driving meaningful change.
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