It’s not news that our environment faces threats to the air, land, and water we need to survive. As a result, more and more voices are ringing out with a clear message: We must make a change, today. One of the voices leading the call is Dame Jane Goodall, who recently received the 2019 Prize for Outstanding Environmental Peace. (1)
Back in October 2018, a group consisting of over 30 scientists and leaders in environmental conservation sent a message to the Norwegian Nobel Committee. A petition for Jane Goodall started by Dr. Myron Shekelle argued, “A Nobel Peace Prize for Jane Goodall underscores that humans must not be at war with nature, but rather that true harmony and peace is only possible when humans live sustainably on our planet.” In response, the Committee presented the award on June 14th. (2)
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Understanding Jane Goodall
In 1960, 26-year-old Jane left her home in England for Tanzania. Legend has it she was equipped with only a notebook and binoculars. She was intent on learning more about chimpanzees. Consequently, she spent more than 60 years of her life dedicated to protecting the species from extinction. (1)
Her obsession with our oldest living relatives was the stepping stone for her understanding of environmental threats. Because of this, she now dedicates her time to species conservation, the survival of the environment and the local people found in communities around the world. (1)
The Forest Of Gombe
Jane’s journey began in the forest of Gombe. Her field research into the lives of chimpanzees exposed a world of emotion, personality, and bonds. She taught the world that chimpanzees had far more in common with us than we cared to imagine. (1)
Her research placed her as the world’s leading Primatologist and the founder of the Jane Goodall Society in 1977. The society focused on the protection of chimpanzees and their natural habitat. As concerns grew over the state of the planet, she later formed Roots & Shoots, a community of like-minded youth conservation leaders in almost 100 countries. (1, 3)
Youth Taking Action
Perhaps the most recognized environmental youth activist is Sweden’s Greta Thurnberg. She made global headlines when she skipped school to sit outside the Swedish parliament with her now-famous banner “skolstrejk för klimatet” (school strike for climate). The 15-year-old loner failed to rally her peers to join her. Instead, she managed to single-handedly launch a global movement. (4)
Greta suffers from selective mutism, which causes severe anxiety and the inability to speak in certain social situations. Despite this, she has become the voice of her generation, appearing before the UK Parliament in April. She spoke frankly saying, “I was fortunate to be born in a time and place where everyone told us to dream big… Now we probably don’t even have a future any more.” She also pointed out the U.K.’s expansion of oil and gas fields in the North Sea, the shale gas fracking industry and expansion of airports demonstrate their “ongoing irresponsible behavior.” (4, 5, 6)
As environmental champions such as Jane Goodall pass on the torch to willing youth leaders, their passion to save the planet for their own future will hopefully generate meaningful change.
