Bill McKibben says Bill Gates is wrong about climate change—and he’s part of a bigger problem

In his new book,  Here Comes The Sun, author and activist Bill McKibben argues that we’re at a tipping point where solar and wind power is now cheaper to build and harness than fossil fuels. Because of that new economic reality, he argues renewable energy has the power to transform society—if only the U.S. government would listen.

McKibben, who also publishes a free Substack called The Crucial Years, came on the Most Innovative Companies podcast to talk about what Bill Gates is getting wrong about climate concerns, how solar became cheaper than fossil fuels, and the importance of mobilizing senior citizens in the fight against climate change through his organization Third Act.This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. 

In a recent blog post, Bill Gates downgraded climate concerns as an issue of importance. What do you think of his argument?

I’ve had a checkered relationship with Mr. Gates and [his views on] climate for some years. I reviewed his last book