A Billion Butterflies

A Life in Climate and Chaos Theory

By: Dr. Jagadish Shukla

Narrated by: Shahjehan Khan

The amazing true story of the man behind modern weather prediction

Consider a world without weather prediction. How would we know when to evacuate communities ahead of fires or floods, or figure out what to wear tomorrow? Until 40 years ago, we couldn’t forecast weather conditions beyond ten days. Renowned climate scientist Dr. Jagadish Shukla is largely to thank for modern weather forecasting. Born in rural India with no electricity, plumbing, or formal schools, he attended classes that were held in a cow shed. Shukla grew up amid turmoil: overwhelming monsoons, devastating droughts, and unpredictable crop yields. His drive brought him to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, despite little experience. He then followed an unlikely path to MIT and Princeton, and the highest echelons of climate science. His work, which has enabled us to predict weather farther into the future than previously thought possible, allows us to feed more people, save lives, and hold on to hope in a warming world.

Paired with his philanthropic endeavors and extreme dedication to the field, Dr. Shukla has been lauded internationally for his achievements, including a shared Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore for his governmental research on climate change. A Billion Butterflies is a wondrous insider’s account of climate science and an unbelievable memoir of his life. Understanding dynamical seasonal prediction will change the way you experience a thunderstorm or interpret a forecast; understanding its origins and the remarkable story of the man who discovered it will change the way you see our world.

©2025 Dr. Jagadish Shukla (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Jagadish Shukla’s A Billion Butterflies is engaging and illuminating—part fascinating memoir, part critical history of modern climate science, and part manifesto. It is the almost magical story of a barefoot boy who rises from a tiny Indian village and discovers how to predict the previously unpredictable monsoon rains—upon which the fragile supply of food for his village and thousands like it depend. Along the way he has to overcome the contrary scientific thinking of some of meteorology’s greatest minds. Ultimately, he, himself, becomes a world leader and defender of climate science. It is a rich tale written in layman’s terms and deserves the attention of anyone wanting to discover the story—and people—behind the latest climate science."—Rob Wesson, geophysicist and author, Darwin’s First Theory

"In A Billion Butterflies: A Life in Climate and Chaos Theory, Dr. Jagadish Shukla weaves a rich tapestry of his journey from a small village in India to the forefront of climate science. His profound insights into the delicate balance of our planet's climate systems are not just a testament to his scientific rigor but also a call to action. This book is a compelling narrative that marries the personal with the planetary, urging us to heed the lessons of the past and act decisively for a sustainable future. It's a must-read for anyone who cares about the legacy we leave for the generations to come."—Dante S. Lauretta, Regents Professor at the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and Author of The Asteroid Hunter: A Scientist's Journey to the Dawn of our Solar System