More Global Efforts to Enrich Scientific Perspective

Norwegian biologist Nils Stenseth, a professor at the University of Oslo, straddles the scientific communities of different countries, proving that science has no border. Formerly president of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, he is also a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

His research spans a wide range of topics, including the ecological effects of climate change, population dynamics theory, and spatiotemporal models of disease. His work has significantly influenced the understanding of evolutionary biology, particularly studies like the "Red Queen Hypothesis", a hypothesis in evolutionary biology proposed in 1973 that says a species must adapt and evolve for survival because its competing organisms also are evolving.

In 2019, the 76-year-old received China's International Science and Technology Cooperation Award and the Chinese Government Friendship Award, two honors presented to those who have made great contributions to global sci-tech exchanges.

Collaboration with China

Since his first visit to China in 1982, four years after China's historic reform and opening-up policy had started, Stenseth has collaborated closely with institutions like CAS, Tsinghua University and Beijing Normal University. Through these collaborations, he has witnessed the high level of expertise of Chinese researchers, professors and students, who have also contributed to his own research. China today surpasses the U.S. in the volume of the high-impact research papers it publishes, demonstrating the rapid progress of its scientific community.

Stenseth's partnership with China has led to numerous findings that have enriched his own research. For instance, his ongoing historical study of plague dynamics draws on China's precise historical data.

Despite some negative views towards Chinese scientists in the West, Stenseth regards cooperation with China as a win-win scenario. "Chinese scientists approach scientific questions differently from Western scientists. Combining these two distinct ways of thinking not only enriches our scientific perspective but also yields more fruitful research outcomes," he said.

Formative influences

What triggered his interest in biology? Growing up near a farm, he had ample opportunities to interact with animals and nature, which sparked his initial interest. Then his high school teacher, seeing his interest in both biology and mathematics, advised him to study mathematics first before delving into biology. Following the advice, Stenseth developed a robust interdisciplinary background in statistics, biology and zoology, which has played a crucial role in his career development.

In the 1980s he went to Africa to do fieldwork, which left an indelible mark on him, particularly his time in Ethiopia, where he observed wildlife in their natural habitats. There, Stenseth and his team identified a new species of wolf that was previously misclassified as a jackal.

During his time in Africa, he also encountered some harrowing moments. For instance, while camping in the wilds of Kenya with his wife, they heard the roar of lions outside their tent. "At that moment, we were very close to the lions, and it felt like our lives were hanging by a thread. Fortunately, we left from the encounter unharmed. These experiences have deepened my respect and love for nature," Stenseth said.

An urgent challenge

Stenseth is keenly concerned about climate change and its influence on ecosystems. From his perspective, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events signals significant environmental changes that could lead to the collapse of the ecosystem.

However, there are some positive developments too. The younger generations have become more aware of the severity of climate change and are influencing the older generations to adopt greener practices. He emphasizes that global efforts must be scaled up to address this challenge urgently.

Regarding China's performance in combating climate change, Stenseth commends the clear carbon peaking and neutrality goals, as well as the efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially in addressing agricultural carbon emissions.

He also notes the Chinese government's resolve and commitment. Also, he says the communication channels between policymakers and scholars in China are relatively smooth, which makes China better equipped than many other countries to take effective action against climate change.

This article was edited based on the original version written by ZHANG Xinxin from Cover News based in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

Source: Science and Technology Daily