Mr Gates will have to take the responsibility

Bill Gates is a well-known name, he is a pioneer in many ways and known for his contribution in technology, that was harbinger of information technology revolution and internet so on. For people who keep records, on matters of money, he is counted among the richest. Since his retirement he, that is, he being man "man and his wife" (courtesy Kasturi&Sons) has been contributing to mitigate health related problems, to tackle polio, HIV, malaria, sanitation, and much more...among the most marginalised and poor, much focus on India with some success. Recently the Gate foundation –world’s largest charitable foundation, Bill and Melinda Gate were also awarded by the Indian government for their contributions. So far so good.

In the meanwhile it has transpired that Mr Gates has $1.4bn invested in fossil fuel companies, including BP, responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. There is an urgent call being made to divest from coal, oil and gas companies. It is crucial that between two-thirds and four-fifths of existing fossil fuel reserves must remain in the ground if the world is to remain within a 2C rise in global temperatures, the level agreed on to avoid irreversible and catastrophic climate change. The former editor of The Guardian newspaper, Alan Rusbridger, has been making admirable efforts on this front, with others like 350.org pitching in. The fossil fuel divestment movement has already persuaded more than 220 institutions worldwide to divest. They have been appealing to Mr Gates for some time now, even there is a petition signed by hundreds and thousands of readers of Guardian, and many like this blogger who support this cause.

Mr Gates has recently announced that he will invest $2bn in renewable technologies initiatives. He has ignored the calls to divest from the fossil fuel companies that are burning carbon at a rate that ignores international agreements to limit global warming. It is clear that fossil fuel companies are influential people with powerful lobby and big money that can easily quash any dissent or opposition, through intimidations, misinformation, media control and creating fictitious realities and myths through popular mediums. It is well orchestrated machine, that has caused immense misery to people and has potential to cause catastrophes. Of course it needs courage to take on these big money greed and the vested interests. Divestment from fossil fuel is the first step to discourage unbridled exploitations that perils the environment, in the meanwhile there will be urgent efforts made to search for viable sustainable alternatives. So far these efforts for renewable energy sources have been scuttled by fossil fuel industry. Mr. Gates will have to take the responsibility, the ball is firmly in his court.

Here is the part of the petition that is addressed to Bill Gates, he is studiously avoiding it. He needs to respond, and answer the disagreement on the logic of demands. He is a sensible man, and surely knows the risk fossil fuel companies pose. His position is untenable. He really cannot avoid this one and maintain a straight face. The “high risk” investments in breakthrough technologies is avoiding the issue since it doesn’t reply his investment in fossil fuel companies and damage these are causing as we discuss. As mentioned in the last blog reckless Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson plans to spend $100 million a day to plunder.

“…we’re asking Bill Gates for leadership on a global problem where leaders are in short supply.

The Keep it in the Ground campaign is a collection of over 190,000 voices from over 170 countries. When we asked those supporters to make a personal message to Bill, the result was an impassioned plea for leadership from around the world.

If the Gates Foundation were to divest, it would send a powerful signal to fossil fuel companies and to governments that business as usual is not acceptable. It would also have a huge snowball effect on other organisations currently considering whether to move their own money. In short it would be real climate leadership.

Will you lead us Bill?”