Unsettled, Updated and Expanded Edition

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

In this updated and expanded edition of climate scientist Steven Koonin’s groundbreaking book, go behind the headlines to discover the latest eye-opening data about climate change—with unbiased facts and realistic steps for the future.

“Greenland’s ice loss is accelerating.”

“Extreme temperatures are causing more fatalities.”

“Rapid ‘climate action’ is essential to avoid a future climate disaster.”

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

With the new edition of Unsettled, Steven Koonin draws on decades of experience—including as a top science advisor to the Obama administration—to clear away the fog and explain what science really says (and doesn’t say). With a new introduction, this edition now features reflections on an additional three years of eye-opening data, alternatives to unrealistic “net zero” solutions, global energy inequalities, and the energy crisis arising from the war in Ukraine.

When it comes to climate change, the media, politicians, and other prominent voices have declared that “the science is settled.” In reality, the climate is changing, but the why and how aren’t as clear as you’ve probably been led to believe.

Koonin takes listeners behind the headlines, dispels popular myths, and unveils little-known truths:

• Despite rising greenhouse gas emissions, global temperatures decreased from 1940 to 1970

• Models currently used to predict the future do not accurately describe the climate of the past, and modelers themselves strongly doubt their regional predictions

• There is no compelling evidence that hurricanes are becoming more frequent—or that predictions of rapid sea level rise have any validity

Unsettled is a reality check buoyed by hope, offering the truth about climate science—what we know, what we don’t, and what it all means for our future.

©2024 Steven E. Koonin

Great book but it needs a pdf for the graphs

An excellent discussion of the science, the policy, and the hype. Like J. Curry, the author has gotten cancelled and lost friends for daring to tell what the reports actually say, and not the attention getting hype of the narrative. He isn't saying that climate change isn't happening, but that its a complex issue, human and natural effects need to be separated, the change is less than the hype says, etc. That alone will piss everyone off.

For example, he explains how the hockey stick graph shows variation in temperature, why a 30 year period is used to measure climate, and why maps showing temperature increases often miss key point by heat effect. He takes a balance view and explains stuff clearly. It's also very well read.

I really like his discussion of the basics of the science. Even a lot of sceintist and engineers today need to hear about data integrity, statistics, and what it means. The only reason I gave this 4 stars is that there doesn't seem to be a pdf and often he talks about graphs that you really need to see.