This is how rich people try to get out ahead of potential regulation. They use philanthropy to cleanse their persona while dodging taxes.

He is giving 8% of his net worth. It is the equivalent of a household with the median US net worth of $70,000 giving $5600 to this cause. While it is a great gesture its by no means heroic and worthy of a news article.

He has profited more from emitting greenhouse gasses than other americans and thus should pay more through regulation and taxation. But by doing this it makes people think that there is no need to implement new taxation, because we can rely on the good will of morally superior billionares to save us.