Extreme Temperature Diary- Thursday October 30th, 2025/Main Topic: Bill Gate’s Unscientific Shift on Climate Change – Guy On Climate
Dear Diary. On Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa was raging throughout the Caribbean, climate champion Bill Gates shocked many by issuing a long email indicating that he thought that climate change was not serious enough to end our civilization due to only tepid mitigation of carbon emissions. Disappointment among climate scientists was widespread including yours truly.
I wanted to offer some thoughts on the Gates climate memo that has been circulating this week. While I can't directly speak for others, I can say that my own response is one of dismay & deep frustration (and that this view is shared by many climate/Earth scientists). [1/n] — Daniel Swain (@weatherwest.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T17:02:47.000Z
If you take the time to read the whole Gates memo (which I did), the bulk of the content was mostly solid and encouraging. Really!
It was the FRAME that was off--very off, from the first line.
And when your framing is off, then how you make decisions and set priorities is off. THAT'S the problem. — Katharine Hayhoe (@katharinehayhoe.com) 2025-10-30T13:52:14.916Z
In the past Bill Gates has spent millions of dollars fighting climate change, so the fear now is that his spending on mitigation and adaptation will cease. Will Bill Gates join the small cadre of billionaires and Trump who are driving the U.S. economy that are in denial about the seriousness of the climate crisis? We will see.
Here are details from the Greek Reporter:
If @billgates.bsky.social were to read #ScienceUnderSiege by @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social & myself, he would know that climate change is amplifying deadly pandemics. Only someone ignorant of the science adopts the fallacy that we can treat global health and the climate crisis as separate threats — Michael E. Mann (@michaelemann.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T03:33:10.183Z
Bill Gates Calls for Redirecting of Climate Funds to Global Health – GreekReporter.com
Bill Gates Calls for Redirecting of Climate Funds to Global HealthBy John Koutroumpis
October 29, 2025
 Bill Gates urges shift from climate funding to combating global disease. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / European Commission / CC BY 4-0
In a move that has stirred debate across the scientific and philanthropic worlds, Bill Gates, long known for championing the fight against climate change, has called for a redirection of global resources.
In a new essay, titled “Three Tough Truth About Climate,” published on Tuesday on his personal blog, Gates Notes, the Microsoft co-founder argued that while climate change remains a serious issue, it should no longer dominate the world’s spending and attention.
Instead, Gates urged philanthropists and policymakers to invest more aggressively in combating disease, hunger, and poverty, which he described as more immediate threats to human life. “ Climate change, disease, and poverty are all major problems,” Gates wrote. “We should deal with them in proportion to the suffering they cause.”
Bill Gates: “Climate change will not end humanity”Gates acknowledged that global warming presents serious long-term risks, particularly for the world’s poorest populations, but dismissed the notion that it will bring about human extinction. “Although climate change will have serious consequences, it will not lead to humanity’s demise,” he wrote. “This is a chance to refocus on the metric that should count even more than emissions and temperature change: improving lives.”
The billionaire philanthropist emphasized that the ultimate goal should be preventing suffering, rather than chasing costly zero-emission targets at all costs. He pointed to recent cuts to US foreign aid programs, particularly USAID, as examples of how diverting resources away from humanitarian needs could worsen crises in famine, health, and poverty.
From green energy to global healthGates’ position marks a sharp contrast to his previous public statements. For years, his Breakthrough Energy initiative poured billions into clean-energy innovation and climate mitigation technologies. In 2023, he described climate change as an “overwhelming” challenge requiring an “unprecedented” global effort.
Now, in both his essay and a follow-up interview with CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin, Gates said continuing to pour massive resources into the climate battle, while progress in global health stalls, would be a “huge disappointment.” Still, he insisted his remarks do not represent a full reversal, stressing that climate investments must continue but “in proportion” to other urgent challenges.
Divided reactions from the scientific communityExperts and climate advocates were quick to respond. Some agreed with Gates’ call for a more balanced approach, while others accused him of drawing a false comparison between crises that are deeply intertwined.
“Humans are resilient, and while billion-dollar disasters will become more frequent, humanity will not be wiped out,” said Jennifer Francis, a senior scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center. “But we still need to focus on curing the disease—emissions—while treating the symptoms like hunger and health.”
Others were less sympathetic. “There is no greater threat to developing nations than the climate crisis,” countered Michael Mann, director of the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability & the Media. “He’s got this all backwards.”
Bill Gates reignites debate ahead of COP30Gates’ essay comes just weeks before COP30, the global climate summit where governments and activists are expected to reaffirm commitments to reducing carbon emissions. His remarks are likely to spark intense discussion among world leaders and environmental groups over how best to balance climate action with other humanitarian priorities.
While Gates insists his call is about realism, not retreat, the timing and tone of his message signal a growing tension in global philanthropy: whether the world’s limited resources are being spent where they can do the most good—now and in the future.
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More:
THIS: It’s the hole in every bucket!
"People often think of climate change as a separate bucket at the end of a long row of other buckets of problems. ... Climate change is not a separate bucket. The reason we care about climate change is that it's the hole in every bucket." @katharinehayhoe.com — Elaine Burnes 🏳️🌈 (@elaineburnes.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T11:29:46.246Z
Here are more “ET’s” recorded from around the planet the last couple of days, their consequences, and some extreme temperature outlooks, as well as any extreme precipitation reports:
Record again in AUSTRALIA
32.0 in the tiny Hamilton Island broke is record of October highest temperature on record. — Extreme Temperatures Around the World (@extremetemps.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T10:33:18.926Z
All tropical countries in the world are breaking records,specially of high minimums.
This include all Africa from North to South.
Minimums still exceed >28C every day in SENEGAL.
More records on the Gulf of Guinea:
Min 26.1C San Pedro IVORY COAST: October hottest night. — Extreme Temperatures Around the World (@extremetemps.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T12:28:54.080Z
INDONESIA ENDLESS RECORD HEAT
For over 900+ consecutive days, Indonesia has been breaking heat records every single day, without exceptions.
Today 's records:
37.0 Pakanbaru
High Min:25.8 Pontianak — Extreme Temperatures Around the World (@extremetemps.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T15:48:03.544Z
EXTRAORDINARY HEAT ALLOVER OCEANIA-1
Records pulverized in every single country with extreme margin
RECORD OCT HOT NIGHTS
28.0 Butaritari KIRIBATI
28.2 Nukononu TOKEALAU
25.2 Nausori Fiji
25.2 Fua amotu TONGA
NEW CALEDONIA
26.6 Ile Loop
25.6 Ile Art
24.5 Tohuo
23.6 Kone — Extreme Temperatures Around the World (@extremetemps.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T05:31:07.765Z
‼️OCEANIA HISTORIC HEAT -2
NEW CALEDONIA
36.7 Ile Surprise MIN.26.3 OCT NATIONAL RECORDS
33.7 Koumac
34.1 Munda SOLOMON ISLANDS
32.6 Tanna VANUATU
It's the most record breaking event in Oceania history with records in all countries and territories along the month.
Historic — Extreme Temperatures Around the World (@extremetemps.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T05:31:25.941Z
OCEANIA RECORD HEAT part 3
Record hot nights for October fell early this month also in the current Int. Airports of Niue (min 24.6 -91825) and Raratonga ,Cook Islands (min 24.5-91845).
28.0 Min also at Manhiki Atoll on 25th.
Only Wallis and Futuna (French Territory) hasn' t broken records. — Extreme Temperatures Around the World (@extremetemps.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T05:31:57.654Z
OCEANIA RECORD HEAT part 4
Absolute insanity in NEW CALEDONIA
Records smashed multiple times
36.7 Ile Surprise
33.7 Koumac
33.5 Noumea
Min 26.6 Ile Loop
CALEDONIA OCTOBER HOTTEST DAY & NIGHT
PULVERIZED again
There had never been anything like this in Oceania or even close. — Extreme Temperatures Around the World (@extremetemps.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T05:30:27.286Z
November will start with heat records allover the Northern Hemisphere in Asia,Europe,Africa and North America
In particular
SOUTH MAURITANIA (today 43C Nema)
NW MEXICO (Sinaloa & Sonora)
where the November record of Highest temperature in all Hemisphere history will be approached — Extreme Temperatures Around the World (@extremetemps.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T18:11:58.427Z
EXTRAORDINARY
All North America with record heat:
MEXICO 42C+ and Minimums >28C
100% Caribbean countries are pulverzing records
Martinique AP 35.7C smashed its October record again
1 week without dropping below 28C min in Bonaire
Never happened in the whole Hemisphere so late! — Extreme Temperatures Around the World (@extremetemps.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T02:34:05.135Z
EXCEPTIONAL HEAT IN CALIFORNIA
Up to 103F at Pala.
Heat advisories in SCal.
3 days to November... — Extreme Temperatures Around the World (@extremetemps.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T02:14:32.840Z
Why was Hurricane Melissa so powerful? And did climate change play a role? Renowned climate scientist @katharinehayhoe.com separates fact from fiction. #ThisIsClimateChange — The YEARS Project (@theyearsproject.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T13:25:25.608Z
Update: While the number may still change based on review of satellite and sonde data, Hurricane Melissa officially sustained max winds of 185mph (and peak winds of 216mph), just below the threshold proposed below. — Katharine Hayhoe (@katharinehayhoe.com) 2025-10-29T20:11:20.292Z
“Maybe the most important thing to understand about hurricanes in the warming world is that not all of them will be able to take advantage of the raised ceiling from ocean warming... this one did,” Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social at @ucanr.edu, told @afreedma.bsky.social
#HurricaneMelissa — Pam Kan-Rice (@ucanrpam.bsky.social) 2025-10-29T18:38:03.936Z
"22 of Earth's 34 'vital signs' are flashing red, new climate report reveals — but there's still time to act" | Nice article on our new #Bioscience article by @saschapare.bsky.social for @livescience.com: www.livescience.com/planet-earth... — Michael E. Mann (@michaelemann.bsky.social) 2025-10-29T14:38:57.929Z
Climate change is amplifying “hydroclimate whiplash”—the dramatic swings between drought, floods & wildfires. Join climate scientist Daniel Swain (@weatherwest.bsky.social) on Nov 5 for a Distinctive Voices talk on the science & impacts of these extremes. Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-ch... — National Academy of Sciences (@nasonline.org) 2025-10-30T16:00:56.404Z
Updated image to include Andrew and two others. I inadvertendly left out A and B's when I added the database in. Doesn't change the message BUT I am sorry about that. Very annoyed at myself! — Jeff Berardelli (@weatherprof.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T18:56:46.522Z
From 1980-2002 THREE storms acheived extreme rapid intensification.
From 2003-2025 EIGHTEEN storms achieved extreme rapid intensification.
6X increase!
It’s not coincidence, it’s climate change!
(source of data Dr Kieran Bhatia x.com/bhatiakieran...) — Jeff Berardelli (@weatherprof.bsky.social) 2025-10-29T21:38:52.167Z
“As early Oct 21 long before it was obvious that Melissa would be a monster storm the model predicted a 50–60% chance that it would reach cat 5, the Google DeepMind team says. On Oct 23 the model estimated the storm had an 80% chance of reaching a cat 5”
www.nature.com/articles/d41... — Jeff Berardelli (@weatherprof.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T03:14:57.929Z
Regarding the sonde from yesterday morning with the 219-kt spot wind, highest dropsonde wind ever seen in a TC, AOML/HRD shared the raw data and I took a look this morning. They’ll have the final call, but I see nothing wrong with the ob and I suspect it’s going to hold up. — James Franklin (@franklinjamesl.bsky.social) 2025-10-29T17:54:24.060Z
Nighttime polar orbiter satellite photos of Jamaica before and after #Melissa show how the power grid was affected. Melissa knocked out power to about 77% of Jamaica’s customers, said Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie. Photos from worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov — Dr. Jeff Masters (@drjeffmasters.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T14:16:51.820Z
One month into the government shutdown and federal scientists are working without pay. — Anthony Edwards (@edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T18:25:09.514Z
— Dr Paul Dorfman (@drpauldorfman.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T17:29:21.446Z
'Mushrooming #renewables have led to a rising incidence of the negative power prices. The fundamental point is this: why would any politician want to throttle the nascent tech that could make electricity more affordable and abundant for millions.'
www.ft.com/content/8bf1... — Dr Paul Dorfman (@drpauldorfman.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T12:41:16.222Z
— Dr Paul Dorfman (@drpauldorfman.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T08:56:34.777Z
#RWE breaks ground on #Germany’s largest #battery storage facility. 400 megawatts of power output with a #storage capacity of 700 megawatt hours, utilising the existing grid infrastructure from decommissioned Gundremmingen #nuclear plant.
www.modernpowersystems.com/news/rwe-bre... — Dr Paul Dorfman (@drpauldorfman.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T10:18:55.044Z
How Russia is risking #nuclear catastrophe with attempts to syphon power from Ukraine’s biggest plant.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e... — Dr Paul Dorfman (@drpauldorfman.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T10:13:46.506Z
'UK government will go “all in” on clean energy and #climate policy, the energy secretary has said, as he unveiled plans to put the UK back on track to reach its net zero commitments.'
www.theguardian.com/environment/... — Dr Paul Dorfman (@drpauldorfman.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T10:10:54.706Z
2011 Fukushima Dai’ichi #nuclear disaster - the worst industrial nuclear catastrophe to hit Japan, rated at the highest severity, released radioactivity elements to the surrounding environment when back-up systems failed and could not cool the nuclear reactors.
nyupress.org/978147983683... — Dr Paul Dorfman (@drpauldorfman.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T10:17:10.376Z
Christ !
'Trump called on US military leaders to resume testing US #nuclear weapons in order to keep pace with other countries such as Russia and China.'
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... — Dr Paul Dorfman (@drpauldorfman.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T10:12:34.364Z
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