Contains extracts from the pages of "Science" and is supplemented by contributions from the magazine's editors. This book has the articles arranged thematically and each section is introduced by a scientist or science writer. It also contains several news pieces that highlight particular issues and cases relevant to the main scientific findings.

Other sections center on climate change, led by a comprehensive essay on the state of scientific knowledge today and followed by contributions about the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, as well as the effects of climate change that have been measured to date, including changes in migration and breeding cycles of birds and flowering in plants, changing patterns of hurricanes and extreme weather events, and alterations in forest fire frequency.Interspersed throughout the book are "Science" news pieces that highlight particular issues and cases relevant to the main scientific findings. A glossary of key terms and concepts helps students and nonspecialists better understand the terminology and the issues.