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Bill Gates urged a "strategic pivot" in climate policy, saying the world should prioritize reducing suffering in poor countries, fighting poverty and disease, over near-term emissions targets. In a memo ahead of next month's U.N. climate summit in Brazil, he said innovation will curb warming and called for rigorous, impact-driven spending. The stance drew pushback: scientists said every fraction of a degree matters, and Columbia University's Jeffrey Sachs called the memo "pointless" and warned against pitting development against climate. Gates, citing shrinking aid and a 25% funding drop for Gavi, also touted advances in clean energy and AI.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.