Talks With Authors: Unsettling Climate Science

Popular and political discussions of the climate invariably invoke “The Science” as settled. But a careful reading of the research, literature, and government assessment reports shows a different picture. In this Federalist Society book event, Dr. Koonin discussed his bestseller, "Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn’t, and Why It Matters." He will describe some of the surprises in the official science that he asserts belie the notion that the world has already broken the climate and faces certain doom unless we take prompt and drastic action. Dr. Koonin also examined whether society’s right to make fully informed decisions about climate and energy has been usurped in the assessment reports and media, and he will close with suggestions to improve the presentation of climate certainties and uncertainties to nonexperts.

Featuring:

Dr. Steven E. Koonin, New York University

Moderator: Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Adjunct Professor of Economics, George Washington University

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As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.

[ricoman]

I’ve read Unsettled and between 20 and 30 other books on the subject of climate change covering both sides of the subject, what are often referred to as the ‘alarmist’ side and the ‘skeptical’ side. I’ve also sought out and read several of the often quoted scientific papers written on the subject. I’ve also downloaded temperature records from 1885 to present day for my location and applied some simple excel statistics for my own curiosity. Of course doing all that in no way qualifies me as a climate ‘scientist’ but it does place me in a relatively small group that actually does self investigation into the science and not to simply rely on main stream media, politicians and social media feeds for personal edification. My conclusion is not unlike Steve Koonin’s message - it’s complicated. I would conclude that pure climate science is poorly related to climate alarmism and climate activism. The IPCC is a political organization and according to things I’ve read, has many issues within the organization. Media and politicians pump out ‘click-bait’ headlines knowing full well that most people never read beyond the first few sentences. It seems too that most people do not appreciate just how ubiquitous fossil fuels are in the world, everywhere and at all times, in rich nations and poor. Activists and politicians can talk about cutting out fossil fuels ‘overnight’ but it simply won’t/can’t happen. Should it happen - that’s part of the message in Unsettled and other literature. For all the climate science that’s been done over the past 40 or 50 years, there appears to be much that is still not known or understood. For my two cents worth, and my tax dollars, I believe we should be investing much more in sustainable development and adaptation. The world’s energy mix will remain heavily skewed towards fossil fuels for decades but new technologies and renewables will naturally gain market share. The cost in dollar terms to move rapidly to reduced carbon electrification of the world is somewhat out of reach considering just how debt ridden most world economies currently are.

[torestorebo]

I have read Koonins book. Very good, informative and important for the climate-debate. Thank you for a great book and a great conversation! Greetings from Norway!

[rogeralsop]

Steven Koonin hombre - never on the BBC.

[davidbuderim]

43:00 Once you accept nuclear you don't need wind/solar.

[freerovingbovine]

I'm not surprised the Senior Scientists of BP concludes that CO2's impact on climate and 2090 economic growth are minimal which I don't dispute. However, the Net Energy Ratio has already made sand and shale oil production uneconomic and replacing our energy infrastructure is vital. Further, like other habitats spinning in a vacuum like the ISS, humans must develop a Global Active Thermal Control System before the natural polar and thermohaline circulation aystems are further degraded.