TAIPEI (TVBS News) — With unwavering conviction and the quiet authority that comes from six decades studying chimpanzees in the wild, Jane Goodall, the world-renowned primatologist and United Nations Messenger of Peace, delivered an impassioned call to action for environmental stewardship during her visit to Taiwan on Monday (June 9). Speaking to a packed audience at the Tang Prize Foundation (唐獎基金會), a prestigious Taiwanese academic institution that recognizes contributions to humanity, the 91-year-old conservation icon directed her message primarily toward the younger generation. "We have borrowed their future," Goodall remarked about today's youth, her voice carrying the urgency of someone who has witnessed firsthand the accelerating degradation of natural habitats across the globe.
The conservation pioneer emphasized the cumulative impact of individual consumer choices on the planet's health, urging attendees to consider the environmental consequences of their daily decisions. Goodall expressed particular concern about the growing sense of hopelessness she has observed among younger generations, warning that such disengagement poses perhaps the greatest threat to humanity's future. As a counterforce to this despair, she highlighted her Roots & Shoots program, a global youth initiative now operating in 75 countries that creates networks connecting environmentally conscious young people across cultural and geographic boundaries. The program's methodology focuses on empowering participants by demonstrating that they are not alone in their commitment to environmental protection.
During a question-and-answer session following her address, Goodall addressed the challenge of maintaining hope in the face of governmental inaction on climate change and biodiversity loss. She referenced current scientific consensus that humanity still has a narrow window of opportunity to prevent the most catastrophic environmental outcomes. The collective impact of individual actions can create the momentum needed for systemic change, she explained, emphasizing how local success stories can inspire broader movements. Reflecting on her own tireless advocacy schedule that continues to span continents despite her advanced age, Goodall acknowledged the urgency driving her work. "I simply cannot afford to slow down," she said, citing both the limited time remaining and the critical importance of the conservation message she carries.
The conversation took a philosophical turn when Goodall responded to questions about mortality and her personal legacy. Having spent her life in close observation of both chimpanzee societies and human civilizations, she expressed a serene acceptance of death as part of the natural cycle she has documented throughout her career. Goodall acknowledged her spiritual belief that consciousness continues in some form beyond physical death. The discussion briefly touched on emerging technologies when she described how her research team has begun implementing artificial intelligence systems to identify and catalog individual chimpanzees in the wild. With characteristic humility, she noted her own limited technical expertise while recognizing AI's potential contributions to wildlife conservation efforts. ◼