The $4.5 million cheque is in the post
If you have a net worth of $50 billion, writing out a cheque for $4.5 million is a relatively painless affair. But Michael Bloomberg’s pledge to cover the 2018 costs of the US’s commitment to the Paris climate agreement out of his own pocket is a fine example of putting your money where your mouth is.
The media baron and former New York City mayor made the undertaking on 22 April in an interview on CBS’s Face the Nation TV programme.
"I’m able to do it," he said. "So, yes, I’m going to send them a cheque for the monies that America had promised to the organisation as though they got it from federal government."
Bloomberg declined to extend his pledge beyond 2018, saying he hoped the White House would alter course in its stance on the Paris agreement.
"[Trump] should change his mind and say: ‘Look, there really is a problem here. America is part of the problem. America is a big part of the solution, and we should go in and help the world stop a potential disaster. It’s dangerous to keep doing what we’re doing.’"
Bloomberg also took a swipe at Environment Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt, currently under fire for his personal security and travel arrangements and expenses. A recent request for a $70,000 bullet-proof desk was denied.
Pruitt, one of Trump’s first appointees, has argued that "the environment doesn’t need protection", and that his responsibility lie in protecting jobs. "That’s not his job," said Bloomberg. "His policies are not good for the world. To debunk science is just ridiculous, even if you don’t believe it. If there’s a possibility that it’s right, you have to take prophylactic actions to prevent a disaster."
Will Trump change his mind? Will Pruitt keep his job? Our guess is no, and yes.
Get on your bike for a good cause
Ian Locker (left), the founder and managing director of Zephir Lidar, suppliers of remote-sensor wind-measuring products, is a keen cyclist. So keen that he is joining a 75-strong team for a six-day, 500km ride across central Kenya.
The Ride for Africa Kenya 2018 trip supports Child.org, a charity that aims to break down barriersto child equality. The equivalent event in 2016, staged in Ghana, raised £220,000 for the charity.
(For more information, see )
UNITED STATES FIGURES AND FACTS
105,500 Number of people now employed in the US wind energy industry, 3% up on the previous year
4 Number of states — Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma and South Dakota — where wind power is supplying more than 30% of electricity demand
51% Rate of wind-power growth in New Mexico during 2017. The state saw 570MW installed last year for a total capacity of 1,268MW
360bn Number of litres of water consumption avoided through wind-power deployment in 2017. It equates to 1,105 litres per person.
Source: AWEA annual market report 2017
Quote of the month
"Not everyone will agree on the timing or scale of the adjustments required. But once climate change becomes a clear and present danger to financial stability, it may already be too late"
Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England
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