Jane Goodall: From Scientist to Activist and the Roots of Hope in Conservation

In this interview, renowned primatologist Jane Goodall explains how she transitioned from field scientist to activist after recognizing habitat loss and poverty as intertwined challenges. She outlines the holistic Takari program, which uses local leadership, microcredit inspired by the Grameen Bank, and scholarships to keep girls in school. Operating across 104 Tanzanian villages and extending to seven other chimpanzee habitats in Africa, Roots & Shoots engages young people to address problems facing people, wildlife, and the environment. The conversation emphasizes hope, youth leadership, and the importance of collaboration with businesses and communities to safeguard biodiversity while improving lives. It highlights a message of collective action embodied by Roots & Shoots and a closing call to “together we can save the world.”

From Scientist to Activist

Jane Goodall describes the pivotal moment when she moved from observing chimpanzees in Gombe National Park to recognizing the broader connection between habitat destruction, poverty, and biodiversity loss. A conference revealing falling chimpanzee numbers and disappearing forests catalyzed a shift from researcher to advocate, setting the stage for a lifelong mission to protect both wildlife and human communities.

Takari and Local Leadership

Central to Goodall's approach is the Takari program, a holistic conservation model that starts with local leadership. Seven local individuals work with villages to listen to needs before implementing solutions, ensuring that conservation aligns with community welfare rather than being imposed from outside. The program focuses on restoring soil fertility, sustainable livelihoods, and non-chemical farming practices.

Economic and EducationalInterventions

Takari integrates microcredit inspired by Muhammad Yunus’s Grameen Bank and scholarships to keep girls in school. Education is shown to reduce family size, which in turn supports sustainable land use and biodiversity. Goodall notes dramatic changes from eight to ten births per woman in her early years at Gombe to lower birth rates as education expands, illustrating the link between education, gender equality, and environmental outcomes.

Roots & Shoots: Youth at the Forefront

Roots & Shoots began in 1991 with Tanzanian students who identified threats such as poaching, illegal fishing, and street safety issues. The program empowers young people to select projects for people, animals, and the environment, reinforcing the idea that everyday actions matter and that youth can drive meaningful change. Today, Roots & Shoots operates in 69 countries and remains a cornerstone of Goodall’s mission.

Collaboration, Not Competition

Goodall emphasizes the necessity of collaboration across sectors. Partnerships with corporations and communities help ensure that environmental improvements do not come at the expense of workers. The aim is to create a holistic system where protecting nature and promoting human welfare go hand in hand, with training and transition programs for workers when shifts occur in industries.

Connecting People with Nature

Experiencing nature firsthand is highlighted as essential to fostering empathy for the living world. World Chimpanzee Day commemorates Goodall’s first field visit to Gombe in 1960 and serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping nature accessible to urban populations and the next generation.

Hope as a Practical Imperative

While acknowledging daunting global challenges, Goodall argues that hope is a driver for action. She encourages community-based engagement and youth programs, underscored by her latest work The Book of Hope. The message is clear: individuals can contribute, collective action accelerates progress, and together we can influence outcomes for both people and the planet.

Closing Call to Action

The discussion culminates in a rallying cry for collaboration, participation, and perseverance. Goodall’s philosophy remains that answers come from people joining forces, building ethical leadership, and choosing to act daily in their communities through Roots & Shoots and related initiatives.