Jane
Goodall made a difference in the world. She also encouraged others to make a
difference. Just six months before her death (on 1 October 2025), Jane Goodall
was interviewed by Brad Falchuk for a Netflix series entitled ‘Famous Last Words.’
The premise of the series is to interview notable people and then publish
the interview posthumously.
Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, with orphan chimpanzee
at Tchimpounga Sanctuary.
Jane
Goodall is the interviewee in episode 1 of this series. In the interview Jane
is asked about the message she would like to leave for those listening
following her death. She responds clearly; ‘Every single day you live, you
make a difference in the world, and you get to choose the difference that you
make.’ A little later in the interview she reiterates this and adds, ‘You
have the power within you to make a difference. Don’t give up.’
These
words echo those she wrote in her acclaimed 2021 book The Book of Hope.
Jane
Goodall did not just say these words – she lived them. She made a difference in
the world with her life. Had it not been for Jane Goodall we possibly would not
understand the world of chimpanzees and gorillas anywhere near as we do today.
As a consequence of this understand it can be argued that we therefor understand
more of ourselves, as Homo sapiens. Chimpanzees are, after all, our
closest evolutionary cousins. We share about 98.8% of our DNA with chimpanzees,
and bonobos.
Returning
to Goodall’s encouragement to make a choice about the difference we make in the
world. How do we make that choice, and what sort of choice should it be?
Earlier
this year the world also lamented the passing of another notable woman with a
similar message to those of Jane Goodall. Joanna Macy, like Jane Goodall, made
a difference in the world. Her words address the question of what difference to
make and how to choose.
‘You
don’t need to do everything. Do what calls your heart. Effective action comes from
love. It is unstoppable… We will never be able to build what we have not first
cherished in our hearts.’
These two
women, Jane and Joanna, are two of European culture’s true Elders. Both lived
to reach their 90s, and both advised us to make a difference in the world.
Furthermore, they both recommended what difference we make and how to make the
choice.
For each
of them, this advice can be encapsulated in just two words:
Love and Hope.
Find what
is in your heart, they both advised, and then do not give up.
Let us not
forget their words and their actions.
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