Unsettled (Updated and Expanded Edition): What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn’t, and Why It Matters

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(as of Sep 10, 2026 13:40:40 UTC – Details)


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 readers 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.

From the Publisher

Publisher ‏ : ‎ BenBella Books
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 11, 2024
Edition ‏ : ‎ Updated,Expanded
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1637745257
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1637745250
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #58,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #12 in Weather (Books) #30 in Climatology #34 in Atmospheric Sciences (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (5,355) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
Customers find this book highly informative and well-researched, providing a comprehensive account of climate science and helping readers understand how climate has fluctuated over time. Moreover, the book is praised for its readability, clarity, and compelling arguments, with one customer noting how it presents both sides of the story without cherry-picking data. Additionally, customers appreciate the book’s accuracy, with one review highlighting how it backs conclusions with copious footnotes and cites. However, the book’s tone receives mixed reactions, with some customers appreciating its lack of hysteria and fear mongering, while others find it unsettling.