Jane Goodalls book tells the story of Jane's deep relationship with the beech tree that grew in her backyard in Bournemouth. Her grandmother gave her the tree, simply called Beech, as a bequest. She used to climb into its branches and read. She called the tree one of her closest childhood friends. She points to the tree from her front door, and says, "Theres Beech," pointing out its handsome leaves that glow in the morning sunlight.
Goodall's grandmother was the first to own the house. It is beautiful and large, but it has been kept in a modest state. There are many animal feeding bowls in Goodall's living room. We sit comfortably at the window that looks out to the garden. Judy, her sister, lives here with her family. Goodall uses the house as a home when she isn't traveling the world spreading her message of hope and demanding action. Goodall was on her route to Brussels to give a talk about Compassion in World Farming last March. The taxi left the driveway and Judy rushed out to inform her that it had been cancelled. Since then, she has been working mostly from her attic bedroom.
She said, "I was frustrated and angry." She said that she was frustrated and angry at first. Then she realized that it wasn't useful. Her Jane Goodall Institute team stepped in, and she now says she is busier than ever. Im doing Zooms, video messaging, trying to keep in touch with everyone around the globe where I would normally be. She doesn't like giving lectures online, but she realizes that it can reach more people than the few thousand who might otherwise be able to attend her live lecture. She has also seen a glimpse into the future, where she might not need to slow down. She was 87 when she reached her 80s and began to wonder what she would do if traveling became too overwhelming. Now I know that I don't have to travel. She has also finished The Book of Hope: Survival Guide for an Endangered Earth, which Douglas Abrams wrote based on lengthy interviews with Goodall.
Goodall and Wounda, a chimpanzee on Tchindzoulou Island in Congo. Photograph by Brice Ngomo/Courtesy Jane Goodall Institute
Alarmed by how quickly things seem to be returning to normal, she is afraid the pandemic won't have been the wake-up call that we need. She believes that more politicians are beginning to notice the urgency of climate change. It's good that some wealthy countries are starting to feel the effects of climate change, but that is not enough to make them act. There is more awareness but unfortunately it is mostly words and words. But will that be enough to make rich countries take action?
Is she optimistic about Cop26, the UN summit on climate change that will begin in Glasgow at the beginning of the month? I pray that there will be action, not only words, as opposed to the Paris agreement. The floods in New York, New Orleans, and the worst hurricanes in America, as well as the flooding in Europe and fires, are a wake up call. Wealthy countries cannot just ignore Africa's problems and continue to say, "Well, it doesnt really matter what happens in Africa."
As she states in her book, after reducing poverty, we need to reduce the unsustainable lifestyles enjoyed by the affluent. It is now beyond the individual's responsibility. Aren't governments and corporations required to take unpopular and radical actions? She says that governments and corporations are necessary, but everyone, both as consumers and voters, has a role. She believes that younger people are less likely to be consumers than their elders, and may have more in common with them. Because I was born during the war, I am so lucky. Goodall says that we didn't consume and weren't materialistic. Goodall believes companies will evolve for two reasons. The first is that the [more sustainable] ethic has begun to creep in, and young people are gaining a new understanding. Another reason is that soft drink manufacturers contribute to water scarcity in certain areas. They won't be able make their drinks if they continue to use water in the same way as they have been. They need to find ways to save water.
Goodall in the 70s. Photograph: Everett/Shutterstock
She argues that compassion is what we need for the future, and not selfish greed to gain short-term gains for individuals, corporations, and governments. Hope is the most precious resource. Goodall says that if there is no hope, then the sky is not the limit. We give up. We give up. While anger is valid, it can cause people to be defensive. She says that you must reach the heart.
Goodall, in the Book of Hope, admits feeling on many occasions that she is losing against corruption, greed, and prejudice. What can she do to overcome this? What is happening in Afghanistan? It is horrible. The fires in Siberia are so large that they don't even want to put them out anymore. You have to feel sad, but there is something that tells you that there is still a lot of life and that we must fight for it. This gives you more energy. There are days when I just want to stop getting up. It doesn't last very long. She giggles. I won't give up. I will fight to the end, that's for certain.
She stands up and says, "I should show you something." She then grabs a small box from the fireplace. It's six small drawers made of matchboxes that have been glued together. Goodall created it when she was 14, and she had just been confirmed. (She is now spiritual, not religious). The Christian platitudes that she was exposed to had not impressed her. They were all quite soothing. They were all very soothing. It is still mine because my mother kept it. You have to choose one. I reach into a small drawer and pull out a scroll of parchment. Jane's tiny handwriting reads: The love for money is the root cause of all evil. Goodall appears triumphant. What were we talking about?
After returning from a short trip, I grumbled to Judy that I didn't want to go. She also suggested another trip. Goodall then picked up the same scroll three times. Goodall recited the following from memory: "He who once put his hand to the plough but turns back is not fit for heaven." So Judy said: Off you go.
Goodall and Flint, a baby chimpanzee at Gombe Photograph by Hugo van Lawick/Courtesy the Jane Goodall Institute
Is Goodall really hopeful that we can reverse the damage we have done to the planet? She says that if we come together, it will be possible. It all depends on the outcome of this summit, and whether people really mean what they say. We cannot wait for the youth to mature. They want change. So we have to reach out to the politicians. To get back to my anger with people, I believe people must change within themselves, and not be told.
Goodall's work has been marked by empathy for animals and trees. In the 1960s, she started studying chimpanzees and was criticised for her behavior. She had traveled to Gombe National Park in Tanzania to study the animals when she was 20 years old, after Louis Leakey asked her to. Goodall had been his secretary and he wanted someone who was enthusiastic, but not a scientist. Goodall's long and patient research led to some amazing discoveries. Goodall discovered that termites can be caught by chimps using tools. The dominant view was that humans and animals were separated by their ability to create and use tools. She later said that it was not the fact that Goodall was a rare woman that made her stand out but rather that she was a rebel when she went to Cambridge for her PhD. My topic was animals with personalities, minds and feelings. I also mentioned the need to have empathy for scientists. Her eyes widen. In fact, we were taught that there was a difference between us and the other animals. My dog taught me that this wasn't true.
Goodall grew up with a love for animals. One of the last debutantes was presented to Queen Elizabeth. Although her family was not well-off or wealthy, an uncle by marriage was, and she recalls waiting with the other women. All of them said that their dream was to become a lady-in–waiting or to marry a wealthy husband. One of them asked me my ambitions and I replied: I want to live in Africa with wild animals. They literally withdrew from me and wouldn't talk to me anymore.
Her work in Tanzania was already well-known and she was a beautiful, young, white woman who lived in a forest. She fell in love with Hugo van Lawick (a handsome, aristocratic film-maker who was sent to document her work). They married and had a child, who they raised at Goodalls research station. She later married again. It bothered her that so many reports were focused on her appearance. One headline described her as a pert scientist. It was not the case at the time. She says it was a different time. I was just curious about chimps. I didn't want to be a scientist.
These were her happiest days of her life. She beams when she explains that the chimps became used to her and didn't run away. I was familiar with those chimps. Looking back now, I can see how Figan would have loved me playing with him. It was amazing at the time.
Although she was criticised for setting up feeding stations in order to attract the chimps, she admits that she would not do it now. However, National Geographic would not have funded Goodalls research if they hadn't set up the banana feeding stations. They could then get great pictures of Gombe and make contact with them. She says it is necessary, but I find that sad.
After witnessing the destruction of Gombe's forests, Goodall decided to focus her attention on environmentalism and began her campaigning career. She travels for around 300 days each year. Although she is concerned about her carbon footprint, Goodall says that it is not significant compared to the millions of trees planted by her institute (It's not like I have a private plane), and Roots and Shoots, which involves 100,000 young people around the globe in projects.
People must change within themselves, not be told.
In all other areas, she seems to be frugal. It is strange to see Goodall in her childhood home, sat on her sofa with a biscuit and trying to reconcile it with the famous woman people love to touch, as though she were a saint. Goodall says it is strange to see the person she has become. It was hard to take at first. I tried to hide from the media, but then I realized that I should make good use of it.
She doesn't plan to retire, and jokes that she has enough time in her diary for the next ten years (though it probably isnt a joke). Are her morbid questions aware that time is running out? She says she is almost 88. I will not live forever. I could live to 110, but I don't want to. I want to work as long as possible. I don't fear death.
Jane, the documentary, has a terrible moment where one of the chimpanzees must be killed after a polio epidemic among them. She says that Mr McGregor is the one who brought it up. The film's end, it becomes clear that the chimps are either so human-like or so animalistic. Is she adamant that we should have assisted death for human beings? Yes, voluntary ending should be possible. I don't want to live if it means I have to wait. That is not what I want. I believe assisted dying is a positive thing.
She laughs brightly, as if to break her morbid gloom, despite the fall sun streaming through the windows. But, she insists, not thinking about the end. Mary, Mary Goodalls assistant and cochair of the Institutes board, says: Mary, you can't do more. I'm down for three Zooms today. She says, "I don't care if you die." Your obituaries are not yet planned. There is still too much to do. Goodall will soon be back on the road, and although she is motivated by loss and destruction, it will be hope that she will keep her eyes on.
Viking published The Book of Hope: Survival Guide for Endangered Planets by Jane Goodall & Douglas Abrams on 21 October (16.99). To support The Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery fees may apply.
