The environment is directly linked to who and what lives there, and what those living beings do to the environment will determine how it takes shape, said Richard Lewontin, professor of biology at Harvard University.
Lewontin’s speech Sunday to a crowd of more than 300 at the EMU Ballroom began a three-day conference, “Taking Nature Seriously: Citizens, Science and Environment.” The conference aims to break down the barriers that sometimes exist between scholars in environmental issues. Through several discussions on environmental issues, organizers hope to bring ideas and scholars from around the nation together.
In his speech, Lewontin addressed the interactions between organisms and their environment.
“Every organism creates its world, in an advantageous way for itself,” he said. “This is true of every organism, not just people.”
William Rossi, associate professor of English at the University, agreed with Lewontin.
“We all, in one way or another, participate in the environment,” he said. “We are all ecological citizens.”
Lewontin said there cannot be organisms without the environment, and the reverse is true as well. But often times, he said, organisms can produce the environment by their actions.
“Organisms by their activities, pick up bits and pieces of the world and construct an environment,” he said. “They also construct it by seeking it out and making it part of their world.”
Lewontin said organisms control how their environment looks. By evolving, they make the environment change with them. Just because they can control their environment, Lewontin said, does not mean they won’t harm it.
“There is an environment out there,” he said. “We can impact it some way, but only by disturbing it.”
He said most living beings make it harder for the next generation to live.
“Organisms tend to destroy their environment and make it hard for their offspring to survive,” he said. “We mustn’t think of ourselves as unique in this.”
Lewontin said, while we may be different in many respects, humans and other organisms of Earth are much alike. Organisms store food for the winter while humans save money for times when they need it.
The conference focuses on the environment and its effects on those who live there, both human and non-human.
“We see this conference as only a beginning, one that begins in rich dialogue and patient listening as a first step in creating common ground,” said Nancy Tuana, a University philosophy professor.
“We need input from citizens,” Rossi said. “We need to talk as citizens of the environment.”
Russell Tomlin, associate dean of humanities at the University, said this campus was a good location to hold the conference.
“Oregon is a perfect environment for holding such a conference,” he said. “We have a particular excellence in the natural sciences.”
Tomlin said he hopes participants in the conference are able to take away with them a sense of self-awareness.
“The challenge is to remain self-critical in our views of ourselves as we are of others,” he said.
Tuana said the conference is intended to break down the barriers between scholars of different disciplines.
It is important for “a renewed commitment to collaborative efforts to respond to environmental issues,” she said, “and of the importance and possibilities of alliances between citizens, scholars and activists.”