TomorrowTalks with Jane Goodall: The Book of Hope

Welcome to the first Tomorrow Talks event featuring Dr. Jane Goodall, a thought leader in conversations with change makers of tomorrow. This series focuses on how distinguished speakers use writing to address pressing challenges, celebrating women in science this year.

Jane Goodall's Journey From a young age, Jane Goodall was fascinated by animal behavior. At the age of 23, she had the opportunity to study chimpanzees in the wild and transformed our understanding of primates. Her ongoing Gombe Chimpanzee Project is the longest-running behavioral study of any free-ranging animal species.

Partnership with Arizona State University "The Institute of Human Origins and The Jane Goodall Institute have partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to establish ASU as home for Jane Goodall's archive and database. This partnership will make this unique resource accessible globally through online education."

Dr. Goodall's Impact Beyond Research In addition to her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees, Dr. Jane Goodal has been an advocate for environmental and humanitarian causes since the late 1980s.

The Power of Education Jane Goodall shares her journey from a young girl with a love for animals to becoming an acclaimed primatologist. Despite facing challenges and skepticism, she followed her passion and broke the rules in studying chimpanzees. She emphasizes the importance of flexible education systems that allow for outdoor learning and encourage curiosity.

Passing on Wisdom Through Language "Our mastery of language allowed us to teach about things that weren't present," says Goodall. She highlights how culture passes on non-biological traits through generations, particularly focusing on language as a tool for sharing wisdom gained from past experiences. In today's challenging times, hope becomes crucial in overcoming obstacles.

Stories have the ability to move people to action. In 1986, I organized a conference bringing together scientists from different chimp research sites. At that time, mentioning chimp behavior and culture was not well-received in scientific gatherings. However, through storytelling and sharing personal experiences with chimps at Gombe, I was able to change people's perspectives and inspire them to work with chimpanzees.

Despite the damage caused by humans to animal habitats, there are examples of people helping to save species from extinction. One such example is the breeding program for California Condors in the Grand Canyon and Vermillion Cliffs.

In this chapter, the speaker discusses how humans can support the resilience of nature. They use the example of Gombe and a conference they attended there. The speaker learned about various challenges faced by both chimpanzees and local communities, such as deforestation, poverty, and lack of education facilities. Realizing that improving livelihoods without harming the environment is crucial for conservation efforts, they initiated a community conservation program called Take Care of Takari. This program has been successful in helping local communities improve their lives while protecting forests through initiatives like microcredit scholarships and family planning information.

Responsibility and Care Taking responsibility for the natural world and caring for animals is crucial. The pandemic has highlighted the need for a new relationship with nature, as our disrespect of animals led to its spread. Climate change and loss of biodiversity are also consequences of our disregard for the environment.

Reconnecting with Nature 'Nature deficit' is prevalent in urban areas where access to nature is limited. We must find ways to reconnect with nature despite being constantly attached to technology like smartphones. Spending time in nature has been proven beneficial both physically and mentally, providing a sense of peace.

"Natural history teaches us a way of seeing the world that once learned, cannot be unlearned. It opens up a world of wonder and curiosity, especially for young children. When we learn to love and appreciate nature, we are more inclined to protect it."

In this chapter, Phoenix Nelson asks how to have conversations with people who don't see problems with the environment or refuse to invest in sustainability. Jane shares a story of her encounter with a taxi driver who criticized her work but later helped his sister at an animal shelter. The key message is that it's important to try and reach people's hearts through storytelling and empathy.

Dr. Goodall emphasizes the importance of having hope and taking action to drive social change. She suggests joining organizations like Roots and Shoots, which started with 12 high school students in Tanzania but now operates in 65 countries. The main message is that every individual can make an impact through their choices, such as supporting ethical businesses and adopting a plant-based diet to reduce environmental damage caused by factory farming.

"Humans are clever but not wise," according to the speaker. They believe that nature holds untapped powerful intelligence. To tap into this knowledge, one must immerse themselves in their chosen part of nature and realize their connection to it. Protecting ecosystems and fighting against conventional farming practices is crucial as they impact the delicate balance of interconnected plants and animals."

In her book, Jane Goodall identifies four challenges to solving existential threats: poverty alleviation, reducing unsustainable lifestyles, eliminating corruption, and addressing human impact. Scientific advancements and technologies can play a crucial role in tackling these challenges. Technology can help us lead less damaging lifestyles by reducing our ecological footprint. Science can also alleviate poverty through education initiatives that provide access to resources like computers for children in need. Additionally, technology has the potential to eliminate corruption by empowering young people through programs like Roots & Shoots that promote environmental awareness.

Staying Hopeful While Learning Something New "Sometimes when I'm learning new things, I get discouraged when I don't succeed right away. Have you learned to stay hopeful while learning something new even when it seems like you're failing?" Dr. Goodall shares that in difficult situations, finding hope can be challenging. However, she suggests using negative emotions as motivation to find solutions and make a positive change.

"Together We Can" - Changing the World "At the end of our Roots & Shoots meetings in Tanzania, young people say 'together we can' meaning we can change the world." Dr. Goodall emphasizes that although they know how to create change, it is important for everyone to believe and take action together.

Expressing Gratitude Dr.Goodall expresses her gratitude towards various individuals who have supported her work including Dean Jeffrey Cohen for his support and Kristen Leroux and Bruce Matsnaga for organizing the event. She also thanks Peter Jensen and Byron Verria from Macmillan Publishers along with Julie Ross and Ian Gilby from SU Institute for Human Origins for their partnership.