In friendly chimpanzee-like chatter, Jane Goodall greeted a packed Alumni Hall Thursday night.
Members of the London and campus communities came, stuffed monkeys and books in tow, to hear Goodall share stories and reflect on her experiences in the wild, as well as the extraordinary change the world has seen since she first began her research of chimpanzees in 1960.
Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, told the crowd she followed her passions and ended up studying chimpanzees in Tanzania in June 1960, with no formal education or training.
Follow your heart, and don’t let anyone tell you your observations are stupid. They might be, but they might not, she told the crowd.
Her landmark observations of chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park challenged the world’s perception of animals, forcing many to reconsider humans’ relationship to other species, and ultimately, what it means to be human.
My observations of chimpanzees were not popular and “proved there was a blurry line separating man and animal,” Goodall said, with a nod to the first alpha male she observed, David Greybeard, using and making tools to fish for termites. Until then, it was believed only humankind used and made tools, that humans only had personalities and were capable of emotion.
The line separating humankind and animals is becoming more blurry every day, Goodall continued. And not in a good way.
“One thing that separates humans from chimpanzees is the expansive development of human intellect,” she said, lamenting humanity’s loss of wisdom despite its evolution.
The smartest creature on earth seems intent on destroying the planet on which it lives, she explained, noting conservation of chimpanzees is not the only concern. Intensive farming, depletion of resources, extreme poverty caused by lives of extreme luxury, in addition to humankind’s general continued mistreatment of all animals are detrimental to us all.
Today’s leaders – politicians and corporations – are focusing on ‘the now,’ not on how our actions against the planet will affect us in the future, Goodall said.
“It’s because there’s a disconnect between the human brain and the human heart.”
A life lived with compassion for animals and the planet is the answer to all the world’s problems, she continued.
“We’re always reading bad news. But go around and look for the good news. It will give you hope. There is still hope; there is still time.”
Three things give her hope, Goodall noted, the first is today’s youth, whose attitudes toward the planet and sustainable lifestyles are quickly evolving. Her institute’s youth initiative, Roots & Shoots, is in 139 countries, working on various projects that promote sustainability, social justice and compassionate lifestyles. She hopes to see a chapter take root at Western, she added.
The resiliency of nature, and people who work tirelessly at seemingly impossible tasks are another inspiration and reason for hope, she continued.
“Each of you makes a difference. Together, we can make a world we won’t be ashamed to leave our grandchildren,” Goodall closed.
The event, presented by Docs4GreatApes, was hosted by the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Proceeds went to the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada and Docs4GreatApes.