By Elizabeth Terdatian
World-famous theoretical physicist Freeman Dyson spoke on The Bluff last night as part of a panel discussion on the environment, religion and physics.
Held in the Buckley Center Auditorium, the faculty panel included four professors representing different areas of study: Biology, physics, religion and environmental science. Representing these areas were Rev. Tom Hosinski, C.S.C., of the Theology Department; Steven Kolmes of the Environmental Science Department; Barbara Breen of the Physics Department; and Ami Ahern-Rindell of the Biology Department.
"He is definitely very interesting and it is a lot of fun to get to see some of the stuff he has been involved in," said UP freshman Randy Reid, grandson of Dyson. "They only problem is that 99 percent - a bit of an exaggeration - of the things he has done I really don't understand and am not sure if I ever will without a degree in physics."
Dyson is a former professor of physics at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University. Most recently, he has been in the news for dismissing the views of mainstream scientists on climate change.
While he claims to not be an expert on the topic, Dyson believes that rising levels of carbon dioxide are actually good for the planet, and explained to the audience that carbon dioxide is a substitute for water for plants.
Efforts to decease the amount of carbon dioxide emissions have received much support, but Dyson argues that it is yet unknown if this particular change in climate is good or bad.
"A large amount of evidence shows it's good for us," said Dyson. "Doing something about it without the knowledge of what you're doing - that's total folly."
On the topic of water conservation, Dyson believes that increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the air would save water and benefit plants. Additionally, he made the point that the more carbon dioxide there is in the air, the more humid it is. The more humid it is, the more rainfall there is, which increases the water supply.
"The problem is that the water is not always in the right place," he said.
Dyson also touched on the topics of science and religion. While some believe the two can find a way to work together, Dyson saw them as completely separate topics.
"You can't look out of two windows at once," he said. "When I'm doing science, it has nothing to do with religion."
Dyson sees religion as another way of looking at things that is equally valid, but you can't look at things from both perspectives at the same time.
Dyson also discussed the ways biotechnology might alter the future, and believes that within the next fifty years, there will be silicon-based plants, but again, makes no claim to be an expert in the area. As it is, Dyson sees pollution issues and the conservation of natural resources as largely the responsibility of biology.
"We can breed termites that eat automobiles rather than houses," he said. "This is not a problem of physics, but a problem of biology."
"It's certainly a lot of food for thought," said junior Polly Peterson. "He makes me want to look into that side of it more."
For her, climate change is an issue of importance, and the idea of increased levels of carbon being a benefit instead of a negative is a different one worth researching.
Dyson will give a lecture titled "Rethinking Science and Society" at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland at 7 p.m. tonight. His talk is part of Oregon's Linus Pauling Memorial Lecture Series, sponsored by the Institute for Science, Engineering and Public Policy. The University of Portland is one of several co-sponsors of this lecture.
