Journal Four: Healing the Earth's Scars

On the topic of endangered species and promoting the sanctity of wildlife in the world, Jane Goodall is at the forefront of the fight. She is a British primatologist and anthropologist who is most noticeably recognized for her leaving society and turning to devote her life to chimps and monkeys. She sets the bar for environmental activism and connecting with the world around us, as she devoted more than 50 years of her life to chimps.

Jane Goodall doing what she loves

Jane Goodall embodies hope, she is a woman who has achieved a lifetime of accomplishments that one would call her crazy to even attempt. In her teachings, she specifies four reasons that there is still hope in the world. We will delve deeper into these reasons, but to state them first: 

1. The energy, commitment, and hard work of young people once they understand the problems and are empowered to discuss and ACT upon solutions.
2. The human brain.
3. The resilience of nature.
4. The indomitable human spirit - the people who tackle seemingly impossible tasks and won't give up.

In regards to her first statement, Jane Goodall touches on the fact that there are a number of younger people who feel passionately about environmental issues. It is but a matter of time before they gain the resources to follow through with their ideas to solve some of these issues. This point of view really harps on something we have been discussing all semester, which is biophilia. On the topic of biophilia, it is always stated that it is a choice one must make; and that it is imperative as a child to realize this choice. Goodall sees and understands that younger generations will be the ones taking over for those fighting now, she also sees the potential in young children and their passionate behaviors. To this point, I have to wholeheartedly agree with her.

Goodall interacting with a baby chimp

In her second reason of eternal optimism, Jane Goodall notes the human brain. In an interview, Goodall states "The biggest difference, in my opinion, between us and our closest animal relatives, the chimpanzees, is the human brain." Goodall knows that there is no way a chimp can fathom the idea of sending a man to the moon in a rocket, yet how could the smartest creatures to ever walk the earth (humans) be satisfied and dull to destroying the very planet they live on. This point is fair, and speaks to some of the closed minded 'here and now' mindset of modern day society. Numerous hobbies that pose harm to the environment are not frowned upon for selfish reasons, however there has been a drastic increase in initiatives to find alternatives to problems that we ourselves have created. Goodall speaks about these initiatives in that they represent the beginning, and a hope for a cleaner environment.

Her third reason mentions the resilience of nature. Goodall speaks about this point and says that it is what inspired her to stare TACARE (TakeCare). Her TACARE initiative is one that aimed to help families around Lake Tanganyika during their hardships in an area that could not provide the necessities to survive. Massive deforestation had left the people in disarray, and Goodall did what no other would do to help. In time, the forest began to flourish and remaining forests were set under protection. Goodall's narrative about the resilience of nature strikes me as a passionate point which can play a big role in an eternal hope for restoration.

The last, and probably most sound, reason given by Goodall is the human spirit. There is no other factor which can be as strong as a driven spirit; there is also no other factor that is unteachable. There is a fire that burns within some people, Don Merton for example, which drives them to wake up each morning and try to save the world. Don Merton and his love for birds led to him saving the black robin from extinction. He was told numerous times that his efforts would prove to fail him, yet he pushed through and saved an entire species because of his will to succeed. This is the point which hits me the hardest, and one that I can agree with the most. 

On a more somber topic, there is an environmental issue which strikes endangered species more than most: Poaching. There is a common excuse one will use when slaughtering an animal, "It was self defense as it posed a threat to me." Goodall spent years living with chimps and never once saw herself in danger, as she never acted hostile in any way. Animals are not all inherently violent, but like us can be frightened and lash out in certain ways. Often times it is the one who kills an animal that initially provoked it to act violent. This is an issue which will go on forever I feel, as there are just some things that will likely never change. 

Now, Goodall lists four sound reasons to have hope that we will change to help the environment but I have one which can be a factor as well. The will to live is something that every person has. With a little education, it can be shown to anyone that cutting back on harmful activities to the earth we live on can exponentially increase the future of our species. Environmental education is a topic which Goodall also lived for, and it is a topic which I believe is more important than ever. 

The student learning outcomes for a student in University Colloquium are as follows: "Demonstrate an understanding of environmental issues through writing and class participation. Critically analyze environmental issues from economic, social, political, and class participation. Describe the unique ecological features of the area and analyze Southwest Florida's unique environmental and ecological challenges. Demonstrate a practical understanding of sustainability, sense of place, and ecological literacy." Goodall, through her teachings, stresses the importance of understanding the problems which plague our environment. She speaks about doing what you can to have a positive impact on the earth. This connects with our student learning outcomes as we are encouraged to study and analyze environmental issues in order to make a difference. Goodall is truly a revolutionary when it comes to the matter, and her teachings will serve as a bar to meet for years to come.