In “Unsettled”, Steven Koonin provides an in-depth examination of the current state of climate science, explores what we know and don’t know about climate change, and offers a new way forward. He argues that while human activities have nudged Earth’s average temperature up by around 1 degree Celsius over the past century–largely through emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide–we still donāt understand well enough how all the complex pieces of Earth’s climate system interact to drive large scale warming or cooling. In order to make sound policy decisions about regulating emissions or investing in mitigation measures, it is essential that our scientific understanding be clear and unambiguous. ” Unsettled ” lays out a path for constructive reform within mainstream climatology so that rigorous data analysis can take center stage once again. It also paints a more accurate picture than ever before of where public discussions on global warming currently standāand why they matter both scientifically and politically.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for anyone who wants to know about the current state of climate science and its implications. Koonin provides a clear and concise overview of complex scientific concepts, making it accessible even to those without a scientific background. He also argues convincingly for a more rigorous approach to data analysis in climatology, which will be essential if we are to make sound policy decisions about how best to deal with global warming.
Pros :
- Koonin provides an in-depth, but accessible examination of climate science
- He explores what we know and don’t know about climate change
- Offers a new way forward
Cons :
- it is not clear if the author supports or denies climate change
- it can be dense at times
- Koonin does not provide solutions, but instead argues for more research
Learn more about the author
Steven Koonin is a Professor of Physics at New York University and the Director of its Institute for Theory and Computation. He has served in high-level roles in both the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the American Physical Society, including Undersecretary for Science at DOE from 2009 to 2011 under President Obama and the first Executive Director of the American Physical Society from 1995 to 1997.
Reader Reviews
“This book is a great read if you want to understand the current state of climate science. Koonin provides an excellent and balanced overview of what we know, donāt know, and why it matters.”
“I really enjoyed this book. It was well written, understandable, and engaging. I learned a lot from it.”
“A much-needed and balanced analysis of the current state of climate science.”
“This is one of the most important books on climate science I have ever read. Steven Koonin has done a marvelous job in presenting the current state of knowledge and lack thereof in an understandable way. He also provides clear insights into why this matters for public policy.”
