The world’s middle class has been growing at an unprecedented rate, and as you move up the income ladder, your carbon footprint expands.

This seems to be the uncomfortable truth-- we want to continue growth, bring up populations to greater qualities of life, but with that comes the expanded global footprint. Of course the solution isn't to say that people shouldn't move up the income ladder, nor to suggest we change that goal. But it's finding ways for those who are already atop the ladder to have their needs met more sustainably-- cleaner energy, less waste, etc. But it's a tough spot to be in for sure. We're lucky to have Bill Gates taking these issues so close to heart

Maria, on Bill Gates's list of forward goals defined in his Landscape of Innovation, "Next-Generation Nuclear Fission" is the #1 priority.

What about solar, wind in renewable energy? Though publicly Gates is circumspect on the subject, in private he's painfully direct:

Bill Gates Slams Unreliable Wind and Solar Energy (video)

It was great finding Bill Gates blog and interest in agriculture and soils. I also appreciate your focus on "distributed generation."

Without elaborating, I'll mention a proposal from 1987 advocating "recycled plastic livestock septic tanks," when this area of Minnesota had many dairy farms. Now that plastic is killing the Pacific Ocean, cow farts, soil fertility, and distributed generation are discussion topics, maybe the windmill politicos won't attack you.

Also worth mentioning, hay crops are the only crop not processed for added value. There might be a trick or two to separate the cellulose from nutrient, making non-ruminant livestock feed.

Several videos around, but the classic "The Plow That Broke the Plains, ca. 1937" is a good reminder for sustainable agriculture.