In your recently published book, How to Avoid A Climate Disaster, you state that ‘Humans need to stop adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.’ While this is more than obvious, we wonder if you feel that the admonition also applies to you. We wonder this because, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, you are the top investor in Republic Services, a waste collection company and landfill operator; and the Gates Foundation’s second largest holding is $2.12 billion in Waste Management, a waste collection company and landfill operator. We’re seeing a trend here, and it’s not a good one. Landfills are a major source of methane, a greenhouse gas many times more potent than carbon dioxide. According to the USEPA,landfills are the least desirable means of waste disposal because of their methane emissions. Since your Foundation has offices inseveral European cities, we’re sure that you are aware that the European Union has voted to phase out landfilling completely, and infact several countries have already done so, with significant reductions in greenhouse gases as a result. So tell us, please, Mr.Gates. Why ‘invest’ in landfills? Millions of concerned citizens want to know. Sincerely yours, The Institute for Energy and Resource Management Institute of energy management
“Anyone who cares about the environment and their property tax bill should be concerned about this,” said Schmidt-Pathmann. “It is critical that you contact your County Councilmember and let them know you don’t want any more public money sunk into the ‘landfill liability’ including transfer stations. There is a better – and cheaper – solution.”