Maybe I’m being a little too cynical…I just don’t think that Brad Pitt is saving the world. Bill Gates on the other hand, might be a different story
While a friend of a friend of mine has chosen to label Mr. Gates as a ’socialist’ (yes that’s right a socialist…America’s richest man, and corporate icon in the most capitalistic way possible) for his new stance on a different way of looking at energy, I see that Gates might actually be on the cutting edge of a new way of viewing what environmentalists have talked about for years.
In Gates’ most recent TED talk, entitled innovating to zero, the multimillionaire lays out energy and climate in a clear way through a simple balance equation: CO2=PxSxExC P: People S: Services E: Energy C: Carbon Dioxide/unit energy. He endeavours to help the poorest of the world live better lives, which is an honourable mission, however, one that doesn’t bode well for reducing emissions to stop what scientists call climate change. Naomi Klein talks about the concept of luxury emissions vs survival emissions, and the concept makes sense. In order to achieve Bill Gates’ goal of helping the poorest of the world live better lives, therefore, increasing ’survival’ emissions, richer societies will have to reduce their ‘luxury emissions’. Perhaps this means less of using Hummers to get groceries, and maybe even more local food production…Read the rest on Plug Out Tune In!
Alexandria Mitchell is involved in sustainability initiatives across the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada. Mitchell’s background in film and television, in addition to a passion for community action and commonsense solutions, allows her to speak to organizations, decision makers, and businesses on the need for an integrated approach to community sustainability through an environmental lens. Alexandria attended the COP 15 United Nations Climate Conference in Copenhagen, and is the creator and developer of Plug Out Tune In: http://plugouttunein.com, an online portal for sharing stories and connecting on causes.
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RYSE is the youth branch of RAN, Rainforest Action Network, which works to protect the Earth and support human rights through education, grassroots organizing, and non-violent direct action.
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Wow what a great concept-
I want to read more.
I really like the way you’ve talked about business. So often we forget about the role that private enterprise plays in the environmental movement. Way to go! I can’t wait to read more of your work!