Words by Smiley Team
Since her very first adventure in 1960, anthropologist Dr Jane Goodall has gained fame for her remarkable work in environmentalism. This week, she drew on her experience and knowledge to give a message of hope for future generations.
Speaking at a sustainability summit, she said: “With annual GDP growth seemingly more important than our grandchildren's future, the time is now to choose what sort of impact we can make.”
The summit featured Circulate Capital Ocean Fund chief executive Rob Kaplan, and United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador, Dia Mirza, who joined Jane to discuss key challenges of climate change.
Entitled "Hope for our Home", the event explored ways corporations, non-profits, global leaders and the public can collaborate to protect life on Earth.
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The host, Procter & Gamble, used the summit to explain its progress towards goals set out for 2030, including support for the Jane Goodall Institute. This global nature and wildlife conservation organisation aims to advance Jane’s work, to protect chimpanzees as well as other wildlife and nature.
In Jane’s lifetime, she has seen an alarming decline in the chimpanzee population. There remain just 340,000 chimpanzees around the world, down from 1 million at the start of the 21st century. The institute aims to quell this decline, providing chimpanzee sanctuaries, conducting research, engaging communities and through other vital projects.
Jane is also greatly concerned about climate change and believes that collaboration is key for tackling this unprecedented threat. “As more and more organisations like P&G drive change and join forces, there is hope,” she said. “It's time to get a new mindset and to see things differently. Everything is connected, and every one of us can make a difference."
To help protect chimpanzees from extinction donate to the Jane Goodall Institute.
