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Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn't, and Why It Matters
Audible Audiobook – Unabridged
Steven E. Koonin (Author), & 2 more
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (4,943)
Audiobook
1 CreditAvailable instantly
Hardcover
$29.22
Paperback
$44.33
====
"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.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Read less
©2021 Steven E. Koonin (P)2021 BenBella Books
Listening Length
7 hours and 14 minutes
Author
Steven E. Koonin
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Product details
Listening Length 7 hours and 14 minutes
Author Steven E. Koonin
Narrator Jay Aaseng
Audible.com.au Release Date 07 May 2021
Publisher BenBella Books
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0947M15K1
Best Sellers Rank 30,275 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
14 in River Ecosystems
24 in Earth Sciences (Audible Books & Originals)
58 in Weather Science
=====
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars=
Customers say
Customers find the book well presented and readable, with one review noting it's easy to understand. They appreciate its rigorous approach, with one customer highlighting how the logic is backed up by facts, while others praise how it real science trumps histrionics and anecdotes.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Select to learn more
RigorPresentationReadability
Top reviews from Australia
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
aurelias
5.0 out of 5 stars Just sensibleReviewed in Australia on 11 November 2022
Verified Purchase
Measured, reasonable and realistic assessment of the state of climate science.
Copiously supported by data and reputable studies.
A two-line throwaway about why nitrogen and oxygen are not greenhouse gases could have been expanded; the only contradiction I could discern was an inconsistency in the apparent effect of ever-rising CO2 levels: in one place a doubling to 800ppm was graphically shown not to make any difference where elsewhere I thought I read that 900ppm would triple the effect.
Unsurprisingly, the section on solutions has no magic answer - why would one man have that when whole panels and governments do not? - but Koonin has an admirably grounded approach which dispels much of the hysteria, emphasising as he does that geological time shows much of the change in the climate (as opposed to 'çlimate change') is not man made.
HelpfulReport
Chrism
5.0 out of 5 stars A balanced view on Climate changeReviewed in Australia on 7 August 2023
Verified Purchase
A very readable book that looks at all aspects of climate change, the misinformation we are fed and guides the reader to a clearer understanding of a very complex situation. Compulsory reading for every school, university and politician as well as anyone with an interest in climate change in the future.
One person found this helpful
HelpfulReport
Andy Buttfield
4.0 out of 5 stars The science is most important to be told.Reviewed in Australia on 2 June 2021
Verified Purchase
The graphs were very difficult to read on the Kindle. Otherwise and excellent presentation
HelpfulReport
ChoppyRides
5.0 out of 5 stars Keep an open mind.Reviewed in Australia on 17 February 2025
Verified Purchase
It pays to consider all sides of these conversations around 'Climate Change'.
HelpfulReport
Jim Neville
5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful and thought provokingReviewed in Australia on 23 July 2021
Verified Purchase
Koonin manages to explain the science of climate change dispassionately. There is much we don’t know about the causes of climate change let alone the degree of human contribution. There is a gap between actual scientific findings and how these are reported in the media. Selective use of data might sell newspapers but should not inform sensible policy. Perhaps the biggest challenge for climate change policy is to get global co-operation. Unenforceable aspirations by 180+ countries should not engender much enthusiasm. PlanBs including adaptation and major technical advancements might help. Getting the science right is the first step to understanding. This book should be compulsory reading for those wishing to engage in debate or even social discussion about a very important issue.
HelpfulReport
Andre Esterhuizen
5.0 out of 5 stars The world has flourished when much warmer. There is no looming catastrophe.Reviewed in Australia on 1 June 2021
Verified Purchase
Steven Koonin’s “Unsettled” is especially revealing, since he is in the position of a former insider to the workings of both the US government and the IPCC. His fidelity to evidence and data forms a strong argument that there is no looming climate catastrophe. He exposes the problems relating to models and reports, how politicians draw from them just what they want, and how the media distorts, exaggerates and sensationalises them. This book should be a must for every politician and university course.
10 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
wayne duesbury
5.0 out of 5 stars “The Science of climate change is unsettledReviewed in Australia on 19 March 2024
Verified Purchase
A very balance read no ideology just scientific facts explained
HelpfulReport
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Top reviews from other countries
Translate all reviews to English
charles whitworth
5.0 out of 5 stars UnsettlingReviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 October 2023
Verified Purchase
An easy enough read, it tries to take an honest approach to the climate science, using data from real publications. This includes IPCC reports, that most people don't bother read, or at least not the detailed scientific sections. The conclusion of this is that, whereas Co2 is a green house gas, and the planet has warmed, many of catastrophes that are being predicted either are not happening, or we don't seem to know as there isn't the data. He also gives a good overview of climate models, which have grids that are way too big to be that useful, and that it is very much a computing power issue (but also a data issue to initialise the models). Finally, the last few chapters are about how easy it is going to be to get to Net Zero, and how the Science for climate science needs to be fixed. Overall, and honest book of science, although a bit dry, and with most of the data based on the USA.
Report
Bill
5.0 out of 5 stars The science of climate change is far from settled.Reviewed in Canada on 10 October 2021
Verified Purchase
When I first saw was in the Obama administration, and his basic bio I thought it would be another brainless climate change hype, but was pleasantly surprised by his objective and well researched position. He is highly critical of the climate computer models. He quotes "all models are wrong, but some are interesting". Great read, and I wish every media pundit and politician would read Koonin's book. You don't need to agree with everything he says, but you need to have a reasoned opposition argument. He differentiates between The Science and science. In this day and age we need to read and follow science, The Science is not much more than ideology.
Report
Revol
5.0 out of 5 stars Complexity of simulating climate changeReviewed in Germany on 16 November 2024
Verified Purchase
Everyone discussing issues related to climate change should have read this book to ensure a minimum level of culture in this domain and realize that predicting the future is hard especially about climate
Report
Filippo Persi
5.0 out of 5 stars Una discussione seria e scettica della 'Scienza' del clima.Reviewed in Italy on 10 November 2021
Verified Purchase
L'autore mostra come la 'Scienza' (con la S maiuscola) del clima è un campo con certezze molto meno consolidate di quanto non passi attraverso i media. Attraverso uno sguardo realmente scientifico descrive tutto ciò che sappiamo (e che non sappiamo) sul cambiamento climatico. Se davvero ci approcciamo con giudizio alla 'emergenza' climatica, le soluzioni di cui ci parlano i nostri governanti dovrebbero essere accolte con un grado di scetticismo molto maggiore. Queste soffrono spesso di vari difetti: implicano enormi costi economici per la maggior parte della popolazione, specie delle fasce meno abbienti; sono estremamente difficili da realizzare sia dal punto di vista politico sia dal punto di vista tecnico; contribuirebbero spesso in maniera solo marginale a modificare le temperature globali; implicherebbero rischi di deriva anti-democratica e tecnocratica, etc.
Report
Translate review to English
嘉地洋介
5.0 out of 5 stars 別の見方で問題を見る利点がわかるReviewed in Japan on 22 May 2024
Verified Purchase
素晴らしい本でした、翻訳されているかわかりませんが、英語が読める方にはおすすめです！
Report
Translate review to English
Steven E. Koonin (Author), & 2 more
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (4,943)
Audiobook1 CreditAvailable instantly
Hardcover
$29.22
Paperback
$44.33
====
"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.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Read less
©2021 Steven E. Koonin (P)2021 BenBella Books
Listening Length
7 hours and 14 minutes
Author
Steven E. Koonin
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People who bought this also bought
Page 1 of 12Page 1 of 1
Previous page
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Next page
Product details
Listening Length 7 hours and 14 minutes
Author Steven E. Koonin
Narrator Jay Aaseng
Audible.com.au Release Date 07 May 2021
Publisher BenBella Books
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0947M15K1
Best Sellers Rank 30,275 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
14 in River Ecosystems
24 in Earth Sciences (Audible Books & Originals)
58 in Weather Science
=====
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars=
Customers say
Customers find the book well presented and readable, with one review noting it's easy to understand. They appreciate its rigorous approach, with one customer highlighting how the logic is backed up by facts, while others praise how it real science trumps histrionics and anecdotes.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Select to learn more
RigorPresentationReadability
Top reviews from Australia
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
aurelias
5.0 out of 5 stars Just sensibleReviewed in Australia on 11 November 2022
Verified Purchase
Measured, reasonable and realistic assessment of the state of climate science.
Copiously supported by data and reputable studies.
A two-line throwaway about why nitrogen and oxygen are not greenhouse gases could have been expanded; the only contradiction I could discern was an inconsistency in the apparent effect of ever-rising CO2 levels: in one place a doubling to 800ppm was graphically shown not to make any difference where elsewhere I thought I read that 900ppm would triple the effect.
Unsurprisingly, the section on solutions has no magic answer - why would one man have that when whole panels and governments do not? - but Koonin has an admirably grounded approach which dispels much of the hysteria, emphasising as he does that geological time shows much of the change in the climate (as opposed to 'çlimate change') is not man made.
HelpfulReport
Chrism
5.0 out of 5 stars A balanced view on Climate changeReviewed in Australia on 7 August 2023
Verified Purchase
A very readable book that looks at all aspects of climate change, the misinformation we are fed and guides the reader to a clearer understanding of a very complex situation. Compulsory reading for every school, university and politician as well as anyone with an interest in climate change in the future.
One person found this helpful
HelpfulReport
Andy Buttfield
4.0 out of 5 stars The science is most important to be told.Reviewed in Australia on 2 June 2021
Verified Purchase
The graphs were very difficult to read on the Kindle. Otherwise and excellent presentation
HelpfulReport
ChoppyRides
5.0 out of 5 stars Keep an open mind.Reviewed in Australia on 17 February 2025
Verified Purchase
It pays to consider all sides of these conversations around 'Climate Change'.
HelpfulReport
Jim Neville
5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful and thought provokingReviewed in Australia on 23 July 2021
Verified Purchase
Koonin manages to explain the science of climate change dispassionately. There is much we don’t know about the causes of climate change let alone the degree of human contribution. There is a gap between actual scientific findings and how these are reported in the media. Selective use of data might sell newspapers but should not inform sensible policy. Perhaps the biggest challenge for climate change policy is to get global co-operation. Unenforceable aspirations by 180+ countries should not engender much enthusiasm. PlanBs including adaptation and major technical advancements might help. Getting the science right is the first step to understanding. This book should be compulsory reading for those wishing to engage in debate or even social discussion about a very important issue.
HelpfulReport
Andre Esterhuizen
5.0 out of 5 stars The world has flourished when much warmer. There is no looming catastrophe.Reviewed in Australia on 1 June 2021
Verified Purchase
Steven Koonin’s “Unsettled” is especially revealing, since he is in the position of a former insider to the workings of both the US government and the IPCC. His fidelity to evidence and data forms a strong argument that there is no looming climate catastrophe. He exposes the problems relating to models and reports, how politicians draw from them just what they want, and how the media distorts, exaggerates and sensationalises them. This book should be a must for every politician and university course.
10 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
wayne duesbury
5.0 out of 5 stars “The Science of climate change is unsettledReviewed in Australia on 19 March 2024
Verified Purchase
A very balance read no ideology just scientific facts explained
HelpfulReport
See more reviews
Top reviews from other countries
Translate all reviews to English
charles whitworth
5.0 out of 5 stars UnsettlingReviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 October 2023
Verified Purchase
An easy enough read, it tries to take an honest approach to the climate science, using data from real publications. This includes IPCC reports, that most people don't bother read, or at least not the detailed scientific sections. The conclusion of this is that, whereas Co2 is a green house gas, and the planet has warmed, many of catastrophes that are being predicted either are not happening, or we don't seem to know as there isn't the data. He also gives a good overview of climate models, which have grids that are way too big to be that useful, and that it is very much a computing power issue (but also a data issue to initialise the models). Finally, the last few chapters are about how easy it is going to be to get to Net Zero, and how the Science for climate science needs to be fixed. Overall, and honest book of science, although a bit dry, and with most of the data based on the USA.
Report
Bill
5.0 out of 5 stars The science of climate change is far from settled.Reviewed in Canada on 10 October 2021
Verified Purchase
When I first saw was in the Obama administration, and his basic bio I thought it would be another brainless climate change hype, but was pleasantly surprised by his objective and well researched position. He is highly critical of the climate computer models. He quotes "all models are wrong, but some are interesting". Great read, and I wish every media pundit and politician would read Koonin's book. You don't need to agree with everything he says, but you need to have a reasoned opposition argument. He differentiates between The Science and science. In this day and age we need to read and follow science, The Science is not much more than ideology.
Report
Revol
5.0 out of 5 stars Complexity of simulating climate changeReviewed in Germany on 16 November 2024
Verified Purchase
Everyone discussing issues related to climate change should have read this book to ensure a minimum level of culture in this domain and realize that predicting the future is hard especially about climate
Report
Filippo Persi
5.0 out of 5 stars Una discussione seria e scettica della 'Scienza' del clima.Reviewed in Italy on 10 November 2021
Verified Purchase
L'autore mostra come la 'Scienza' (con la S maiuscola) del clima è un campo con certezze molto meno consolidate di quanto non passi attraverso i media. Attraverso uno sguardo realmente scientifico descrive tutto ciò che sappiamo (e che non sappiamo) sul cambiamento climatico. Se davvero ci approcciamo con giudizio alla 'emergenza' climatica, le soluzioni di cui ci parlano i nostri governanti dovrebbero essere accolte con un grado di scetticismo molto maggiore. Queste soffrono spesso di vari difetti: implicano enormi costi economici per la maggior parte della popolazione, specie delle fasce meno abbienti; sono estremamente difficili da realizzare sia dal punto di vista politico sia dal punto di vista tecnico; contribuirebbero spesso in maniera solo marginale a modificare le temperature globali; implicherebbero rischi di deriva anti-democratica e tecnocratica, etc.
Report
Translate review to English
嘉地洋介
5.0 out of 5 stars 別の見方で問題を見る利点がわかるReviewed in Japan on 22 May 2024
Verified Purchase
素晴らしい本でした、翻訳されているかわかりませんが、英語が読める方にはおすすめです！
Report
Translate review to English
What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn't, and Why It Matters
bySteven E. Koonin
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61 total ratings, 8 with reviews
Translate all reviews to English
From AustraliaUnsettled ebook is incomplete. I can not access the last half of the book. When reading the book it frequently defaults to 100% complete.
I have now ordered the paperback version of this recently released edition.
From other countries
James Glasenapp
5.0 out of 5 stars Real scientific approach to a touchy subject.Reviewed in the United States on 20 June 2024
Verified Purchase
Unsettled is a very enlightening and thought provoking book. Written in an easy style it makes very clear for the non-expert the complexity of climate science, what we know, what we thought we knew and most importantly what we don't know or don't know very clearly. The graphs that Koonin includes make facts really jump out. Look at the three graphs of tornado frequency in the US from 1954 to 2014. Are they becoming more frequent? Yes, if you include all the EF0 cyclones that are usually of little consequence. If one considers only EF1+, there is no trend. The EF3+ cyclones even show some tendency of decrease. Unsettled is packed with this sort of data- based information. You gotta read it!
Report
P Chambers
5.0 out of 5 stars Uses IPCC AR6 scientific papers to demolish the case for rapid decarbonisationReviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2024
Verified Purchase
Explains that AR6 projects lower warming than previous IPCC work
Highlights that extreme weather events are not increasing
Uses IPCC work to show that current decarbonisation policies cause more damage than warming does
Report
CDN Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for government personnel advancing climate catastrophe scenariosReviewed in Canada on 4 October 2024
Verified Purchase
Finally, a book that exposes the mis-interpretation of real science and the resulting "The Sciences", which has been responsible for developing the probably incorrect, unsustainable programs and policies that have been thrust upon us.
Report
GIGOU Jacques
5.0 out of 5 stars Unsettled (Updated and Expanded Edition): What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn'tReviewed in France on 8 December 2024
Verified Purchase
J'ai bien aimé ce livre
Report
Translate review to English
mcdowella
4.0 out of 5 stars Good exanple of assessing expert pronouncementsReviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 June 2024
Verified Purchase
I like this book because it answers some general questions:
How can you assess reports from a field where people require decades of specialized training, and perhaps no one person fully understands all of the field? - Look at the spread of results from different models, compare forecasts and hindcasts with reality, and read as many of the original peer reviewed sources as you can.
Are such assessments necessary? - Some experts have stated that it is ethical to phrase their statements with a view to influencing the public, as opposed to providing a balanced account and describing the certainty or uncertainty of each statement. In a complex field, a small number of statistics, perhaps extreme values, are likely to produce widely fluctuating values which can be cherry-picked to taste. There are prestigious summaries of the field containing statements which this book appears to show should not be taken at face value.
Report
Ansgar Eussner
4.0 out of 5 stars Indeed unsettlingReviewed in France on 2 February 2025
Verified Purchase
I found this book interesting and unsettling by questioning my acquired beliefs about climate change and its causes and likely consequences. The author claims that the causes and prospects are much less well known and scientifically proven than I thought based on the series of IPPC assessment reports. He presents long time series of data on warming in the 20th century showing a warming period between 1930 and 1950, then cooling again until about 1975 and warming again since then. Does that mean the average temperature increases of the last decades could reverse again naturally? He isn't sure but thinks not all of the temperature increases are resulting from man-made causes, mainly CO2 and other emissions. Thus the focus should be on prudent adaptations rather than all-out efforts to reduce emissions, also because energy demand and consumption of fossil fuels is still rising, and justifiably so, in particular in developing countries. Solar and wind remain insufficient in terms of quantity and reliability to close the gap. He also argues, that the economic consequences of global warming are likely less negative than mostly reported and will vary depending on regional situations. This may be so, but they can be drastic nevertheless, like increased droughts combined with floods. Will adaptations via genetically modified plants be enough to deal with those?
Overall, while appreciating the questioning of mainstream media reporting, I am left with more questions than answers. And what about the risks of tipping points, these irreversible and self-accelerating but not yet fully understood and predictable developments like the melting of permafrost regions with the subsequent release of gigatonnes of methane? Or the melting of artic ice cover resulting in dark open seas warming faster through the increased absorption of sun rays? Or the potential reversal of the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic? Would an increase of six degrees indeed be tolerable for workers in already very hot regions, or resulting in mass migration towards more temperate countries in the Northern hemisphere? How should these risks be assessed and dealt with? These are crucial open questions the author didn't address, but which need answers under the precautionary principle.
Report
John R. Patrick
5.0 out of 5 stars Best technical book in my retirementReviewed in the United States on 17 June 2024
Verified Purchase
A wonderful and necessary read. Easily understood by most partially informed US citizens concerned with the much ballyhooed information provided by our government and media regarding global warming! Most thankful for this read.
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bySteven E. Koonin
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61 total ratings, 8 with reviews
Translate all reviews to English
From AustraliaUnsettled ebook is incomplete. I can not access the last half of the book. When reading the book it frequently defaults to 100% complete.
I have now ordered the paperback version of this recently released edition.
From other countries
James Glasenapp
5.0 out of 5 stars Real scientific approach to a touchy subject.Reviewed in the United States on 20 June 2024
Verified Purchase
Unsettled is a very enlightening and thought provoking book. Written in an easy style it makes very clear for the non-expert the complexity of climate science, what we know, what we thought we knew and most importantly what we don't know or don't know very clearly. The graphs that Koonin includes make facts really jump out. Look at the three graphs of tornado frequency in the US from 1954 to 2014. Are they becoming more frequent? Yes, if you include all the EF0 cyclones that are usually of little consequence. If one considers only EF1+, there is no trend. The EF3+ cyclones even show some tendency of decrease. Unsettled is packed with this sort of data- based information. You gotta read it!
Report
P Chambers
5.0 out of 5 stars Uses IPCC AR6 scientific papers to demolish the case for rapid decarbonisationReviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2024
Verified Purchase
Explains that AR6 projects lower warming than previous IPCC work
Highlights that extreme weather events are not increasing
Uses IPCC work to show that current decarbonisation policies cause more damage than warming does
Report
CDN Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for government personnel advancing climate catastrophe scenariosReviewed in Canada on 4 October 2024
Verified Purchase
Finally, a book that exposes the mis-interpretation of real science and the resulting "The Sciences", which has been responsible for developing the probably incorrect, unsustainable programs and policies that have been thrust upon us.
Report
GIGOU Jacques
5.0 out of 5 stars Unsettled (Updated and Expanded Edition): What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn'tReviewed in France on 8 December 2024
Verified Purchase
J'ai bien aimé ce livre
Report
Translate review to English
mcdowella
4.0 out of 5 stars Good exanple of assessing expert pronouncementsReviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 June 2024
Verified Purchase
I like this book because it answers some general questions:
How can you assess reports from a field where people require decades of specialized training, and perhaps no one person fully understands all of the field? - Look at the spread of results from different models, compare forecasts and hindcasts with reality, and read as many of the original peer reviewed sources as you can.
Are such assessments necessary? - Some experts have stated that it is ethical to phrase their statements with a view to influencing the public, as opposed to providing a balanced account and describing the certainty or uncertainty of each statement. In a complex field, a small number of statistics, perhaps extreme values, are likely to produce widely fluctuating values which can be cherry-picked to taste. There are prestigious summaries of the field containing statements which this book appears to show should not be taken at face value.
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Ansgar Eussner
4.0 out of 5 stars Indeed unsettlingReviewed in France on 2 February 2025
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I found this book interesting and unsettling by questioning my acquired beliefs about climate change and its causes and likely consequences. The author claims that the causes and prospects are much less well known and scientifically proven than I thought based on the series of IPPC assessment reports. He presents long time series of data on warming in the 20th century showing a warming period between 1930 and 1950, then cooling again until about 1975 and warming again since then. Does that mean the average temperature increases of the last decades could reverse again naturally? He isn't sure but thinks not all of the temperature increases are resulting from man-made causes, mainly CO2 and other emissions. Thus the focus should be on prudent adaptations rather than all-out efforts to reduce emissions, also because energy demand and consumption of fossil fuels is still rising, and justifiably so, in particular in developing countries. Solar and wind remain insufficient in terms of quantity and reliability to close the gap. He also argues, that the economic consequences of global warming are likely less negative than mostly reported and will vary depending on regional situations. This may be so, but they can be drastic nevertheless, like increased droughts combined with floods. Will adaptations via genetically modified plants be enough to deal with those?
Overall, while appreciating the questioning of mainstream media reporting, I am left with more questions than answers. And what about the risks of tipping points, these irreversible and self-accelerating but not yet fully understood and predictable developments like the melting of permafrost regions with the subsequent release of gigatonnes of methane? Or the melting of artic ice cover resulting in dark open seas warming faster through the increased absorption of sun rays? Or the potential reversal of the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic? Would an increase of six degrees indeed be tolerable for workers in already very hot regions, or resulting in mass migration towards more temperate countries in the Northern hemisphere? How should these risks be assessed and dealt with? These are crucial open questions the author didn't address, but which need answers under the precautionary principle.
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John R. Patrick
5.0 out of 5 stars Best technical book in my retirementReviewed in the United States on 17 June 2024
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A wonderful and necessary read. Easily understood by most partially informed US citizens concerned with the much ballyhooed information provided by our government and media regarding global warming! Most thankful for this read.
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