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During Dr Jane Goodall’s recent visit to SA she met with animal-lovers, schoolchildren, business people and academics – and as always, left them in absolute awe of her wisdom, knowledge and passion for the wellbeing of our world. Wherever she went, she urged people to think carefully about the impact of their actions.
Every single one of us can make a difference to our world by thinking about the impact on the environment of our everyday choices. This was Dr Jane Goodall’s heartfelt appeal throughout her recent visit to South Africa.
“How is it that arguably the most intelligent being that ever walked on the planet is destroying his home?” Dr Goodall asked the business people, animal-lovers, schoolchildren, and academics she addressed while here. “If everyone attained the standard of living of the average American or European, we would need three planets. But we only have one. Why are we destroying it?
“Every individual matters,” she said. “Every one of us makes a difference every day. Think about the choices you make – and about the impact they have on our environment.”
Dr Goodall believes there is a disconnect between our brains and hearts.
“Old indigenous wisdom would ask, before making any major decision, ‘how will this affect our own people seven generations ahead?’ Today, major decisions are made on the basis of how they will affect the next shareholders’ meeting a mere three months ahead. This is simply unsustainable. It is like commercial hunters who shoot mother chimpanzees with babies.”
Roots & Shoots was born of Jane’s conviction that everyone can make a difference. The programme was called Roots & Shoots because roots make firm foundation. Shoots seem very tiny, but to reach the light they can break through brick walls.
“Thousands of children are coming together all over the world and breaking through brick walls,” she says.
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Sue Slotar
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