Gates Switches from Mosquitoes to Fireflies

John Elkington

February 26, 2010

Was sent a link to Bill Gates’s latest TED talk, on climate and energy, and watched this evening between sessions. This time, instead of releasing mosquitoes into the audience to underscore the threat of mosquito-borne diseases, he opens a jar of fireflies. They don’t get very far, which I hope isn’t a reflection of the prospects for the energy “miracles” Gates calls for – but it’s an impressive presentation nonetheless. And it’s the first time I’ve come across the Terrapower idea.