Joe Rogan: "You have people like Bill Gates saying that planting trees to deal with [carbon dioxide] is ridiculous."

The claim made by Joe Rogan that Bill Gates said planting trees to deal with carbon dioxide is "ridiculous" is based on Gates' actual statements regarding the effectiveness of tree planting as a climate change solution. Bill Gates has indeed expressed skepticism about the efficacy of planting trees as a primary solution to climate change. During the New York Times Climate Forward Summit, Gates stated that relying solely on planting trees to solve the climate crisis is "complete nonsense" and emphasized the need for technological innovations like carbon capture to effectively address carbon emissions. Gates supports climate solutions that are backed by technology and has invested in carbon capture technologies, which he believes are more effective than tree planting in reducing carbon dioxide levels. He argues that while planting trees can contribute to carbon sequestration, it is not sufficient on its own to meet the global climate goals set by agreements like the Paris Accords. Gates' stance is that a tech-driven approach, including innovations in carbon capture and clean energy, is essential for meaningful progress in combating climate change Fortune Observer.