Unsettled

What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn't, and Why It Matters

By: Steven E. Koonin

Narrated by: Jay Aaseng

Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

"Surging sea levels are inundating the coasts."

"Hurricanes and tornadoes are becoming fiercer and more frequent."

"Climate change will be an economic disaster."

You've heard all this presented as fact. But according to science, all of these statements are profoundly misleading.

When it comes to climate change, the media, politicians, and other prominent voices have declared that "the science is settled." In reality, the long game of telephone from research to reports to the popular media is corrupted by misunderstanding and misinformation. Core questions - about the way the climate is responding to our influence, and what the impacts will be - remain largely unanswered. The climate is changing, but the why and how aren't as clear as you've probably been led to believe.

Now, one of America's most distinguished scientists is clearing away the fog to explain what science really says (and doesn't say) about our changing climate. In Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn't, and Why It Matters, Steven Koonin draws upon his decades of experience - including as a top science advisor to the Obama administration - to provide up-to-date insights and expert perspective free from political agendas.

Fascinating, clear-headed, and full of surprises, this book gives listeners the tools to both understand the climate issue and be savvier consumers of science media in general. Koonin takes listeners behind the headlines to the more nuanced science itself, showing us where it comes from and guiding us through the implications of the evidence. He dispels popular myths and unveils little-known truths: despite a dramatic rise in greenhouse gas emissions, global temperatures actually decreased from 1940 to 1970. What's more, the models we use to predict the future aren't able to accurately describe the climate of the past, suggesting they are deeply flawed.

Koonin also tackles society's response to a changing climate, using data-driven analysis to explain why many proposed "solutions" would be ineffective, and discussing how alternatives like adaptation and, if necessary, geoengineering will ensure humanity continues to prosper. Unsettled is a reality check buoyed by hope, offering the truth about climate science that you aren't getting elsewhere - what we know, what we don't, and what it all means for our future.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2021 Steven E. Koonin (P)2021 BenBella Books

Very useful book

A thoughtful counter to climate hysteria. Really like how he dissects graphs that purport to show rapid warming and larger storms using clear methodologies and data. As someone who has worked on large models I have to agree that modelers think too highly of their often speculative model results.

A challenge to “The Media” and “The Science”

The alarmists should be alarmed. One expects The Media to take Koonin apart point by point with equally persuasive citations and arguments. So far that has not happened. With new IPCC reports due over the next few months Koonin has prompted a new level of interest and scrutiny of The Science BAU.

should be required reading

There is a lot of info and I will doubtless read this again. I feel like this should be taught in high school and college.

A critical look at "the science" done right

It's nice to find a climate book that stays out of politics and is truly meant to inform rather than persuade.

The Importance of Being Earnest

Steven Koonin is possibly uniquely positioned to write this critique of climate science analysis and reporting. He has a solid resume and is far enough along in his career that he can well afford to ruffle a few feathers with his peers. This book reminded me to read intelligent works on various sides of issues and to do so with a critical eye. Unfortunately the science community is infiltrated by folks who are willing to manipulate data in order to advance their agenda and the media is overrun with folks who are willing to twist the story in order to sell their publication. Excellent work!

Things You Need To Know

The author points out the difference between climate science and propaganda activism that is meant to deceive and alarm and "shape" public policy.

For anyone tired of being lied to by government and the corporate media propaganda machine and the annoying alarmist neighbor next door, this book arms with facts and information to help understand what is and what is not yet proven to be a problem.

very accurate

Detailed accurate fully understandable well written concise Most of the information contained in it I was aware of what it's nice to have it with detailed numbers and precise graphic

Excellent

Thank you for this excellent outline of the state of climate change. certainly, there is a long and difficult road ahead of us.

A balanced, scientific perspective on the issues

I was looking for an objective update on what we know about climate change, and was finding all the books written in the extreme. Either the world was coming to an end or it’s all a big hoax. I “settled” on this book because I respected Koonin’s academic and experience credentials. Since I was in the camp that we have to act quickly to preserve our oceans, atmosphere and biome, I started off a skeptical at Koonin’s first hint that man’s influence might be negligible. But as I read on, I came to understand that we simply don’t know how much of climate change is man made vs natural.

In the end I felt the book was very eye opening and that his perspectives are sensible, objective and well supported. This was exactly what I was looking for.

Finally, Data Driven Climate Analysis

Excellent reading for everyone, regardless of your opinions on climate change. Koonin digs into the details of ALL the climate reports, by all the government and non-government agencies, including the boring appendices, to find the confirmations and the contradictions between the headlines and the actual data.