Billionaire Bill Gates is shifting his tone on climate change, cautioning against a 'doomsday' future view. 

In a lengthy online memo, the Microsoft co-founder says he still believes it is a major problem needing solving.

But Gates says innovation and breakthroughs shouldn't come at the expense of funding global health or development. 

Victoria University adjunct professor of climate change, Adrian Macey, says he agrees.

"I see what he's saying is - don't assume it's going to be Armageddon if we sail past the 1.5 degrees, which we have already, but think about the positive things you need to do."

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