Celebrating The Work of Jane Goodall

Yesterday we lost a great leader: Dr Jane Goodall. I had the privilege in 2019 of meeting the incredible Jane Goodall in Sydney, having been invited by The Jane Goodall Institute CEO at that time, James Forbes. Even up until this year, age 91, Jane was travelling 300 days of the year to speak at events just like the one I attended.

Who Was Jane Goodall?

Jane was a trailblazer and the scientist who changed our understanding of animal behaviour and proved, to a highly resistant male scientific community in the 1960s and 70s, that chimpanzees were not only emotional beings but were intelligent enough to manufacture tools. And she did this by living side by side with them in the Tanzanian jungles for many years.

In her speeches, Jane talked a lot about HOPE. And what we must all do, collectively, to make a positive impact on this only planet we call home. Every single person matters and can make a difference.

What Can Individuals Do?

✴️ Reduce meat consumption (especially red meat). More forest land is cleared to make way for GRAZING PASTURES and to grow grain for CATTLE to consume than it is to grow crops for human consumption. The rate of deforestation to make way for livestock is, in a word, overwhelming.

✴️ Reduce the amount of plastic you BUY. Recycling isn’t cutting it.

✴️ If you know a consumer brand is UNETHICAL, stop buying its products. Your money speaks.

✴️ Vote for politicians and business leaders who ‘get it’ and share these values.

✴️ The Jane Goodall Institute has a successful worldwide program called ‘Roots and Shoots’ that your children or your school could become involved in – check it out! You’ll be emailed a pack outlining how you can get involved. Do it as a family. Do it as a school! I have put a link to this program in the Comments below.

Meeting Jane Goodall

When I met Jane I asked her if she could sign my primary age daughter’s ‘Rebel Girls’ book (in which Jane is featured). In it she wrote, “Dear Elise, Follow your dreams. Jane.”

Shortly afterwards, Elise was doing a school project: ‘Scientists From Around The World’ and she chose to feature Jane. She wrote: “This scientist is famous because she studied chimpanzees in their own environment. She once let a wild chimpanzee out because it was hurt… after, it gave her a hug.”

One little act really can make a tremendous difference.

Thank you Jane Goodall for your work, your commitment and your leadership.