With increased consciousness of the climate crisis, environmental issues, and the question of what we civilians can do to combat it, the lasting impression of activist and scientist Jane Goodall is most definitely emphasized. She serves as a wonderful symbol and pioneer who spent over six decades fighting for caring for our planet.
Originally from England, and born on April 3, 1934, Goodall’s early interest in wildlife guided her into pursuing a career with animals for years to come.
This career was not easy however, she began by traveling to Kenya and researching wildlife there in 1957. Her work there enticed and impressed anthropologist Louis Leakey. He saw her passion for this life path and saw what potential she had in store.
Even without a formal education, her promising impression on Leakey allowed for her career in 1960 in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania to research chimpanzees.
Little did either of them know, however, what this would mean for the future of environmental research and the changes that would come regarding the global outlooks on conservation and animals.
The career that sprouted from Leakey taking Goodall under his wing brought forth the discouragement of a pre-established lack of empathy for animals.
Through her studies, Goodall’s observations about chimpanzees’ emotions and intelligence allowed individuals and institutions around the world to change their ways for the bettering of wildlife and their habitats.
To highlight some of her most critically acclaimed accomplishments it is important to feature her discovery of the usage of tools within chimpanzees.
Goodall observed these primates utilizing sticks to gather termites. The chimp she studied was named David Greybeard and this specific subject set up the future of the way “wild” animals were to be viewed, treated, and cared for.
It allowed the general public, but specifically environmental/wildlife specialists to understand that primates are more similar to humans than what had been believed prior. This discovery from 1960 brought forth further conclusions about chimpanzees’ intelligence and creativity.
This observation of Goodall’s led to deepening and establishing her life’s path in this career.
Later, in 1977, through her years of environmental work, she adopted her mission of habitat and wildlife conservation. This was sparked by her realization of the effects of humans on animals. Goodall’s understanding of these animals of course led to further empathy for them. This led to the founding of her conservation organization called the Jane Goodall Institute.
This helped out animals, specifically chimpanzees, by spreading awareness about the illegal pet trade, animal cruelty, and environmental ailments that lead to the destruction of habitats.
She then, in 1991, established another organization called Roots and Shoots to encourage everyone, specifically catering to the younger audience, to practice more environmentally friendly and sustainable ways of life.
Goodall’s institutions still exist today leaving her legacy even at the respectable age of 90.
Her efforts led to her well-deserved six awards: Kyoto Prize (1990), Hubbard Medal (1995), Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement (1997), Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2004), Templeton Prize (2021), and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025).
To sum up, Goodall’s proven herself to be an active advocate for the Earth’s health through tasks big and small, which empowers others around the globe to put in their two cents as well.