We will miss Jane Goodall, the world’s best-known conservationist and ethologist, who died at 91. She passed away from natural causes in the midst of a cross-country speaking tour in Los Angeles. Goodall is known for having dedicated her life to studying the behavior of wild chimpanzees in Africa. She’s a passionate advocate for the health of our planet. Her dedication to conserving the environment seeped into her personal lifestyle decisions, perhaps most notably with her transition to a plant-based diet.
In the mid-1960s, Goodall began eating a largely plant-based diet, spurred largely by ethical opposition to factory farming. In her case, she was acutely conscious of the environmental devastation wrought by meat production, and this overwhelmingly tipped her decision. In a 2017 essay, she expounded on the connections between the way she lives and why she’s working to save the planet. She talked about how her concern for the planet’s health has shaped her diet.
Inspired by the health revival Goodall saw after going plant based, I too made the switch. She noted, “When I stopped eating meat I immediately felt better, lighter,” indicating that her dietary changes positively impacted her well-being. Her story is a testament to the fact that focusing on ethical and environmental values can lead to the kind of improved health you can see.
Goodall remained physically active into her later years. She remained prolific through her 90s, a characteristic common among those who live rich, extended lives. She was a tireless public speaker, spreading awareness and inspiring countless individuals to advocate for the world around them. Her tenacious advocacy gained her supporters far and wide, with many seeing her as the preeminent voice for conservation.
Goodall’s ethical stance on veganism was clear when she stated, “I didn’t become vegan just because of my health. I became vegan for ethical reasons.” This comment summarizes her deep conviction that by changing personal habits, people could effect positive, climate-centric change on a larger scale.
As a pioneer in both wildlife preservation and compassionate cuisine, Goodall’s legacy will live on. Her groundbreaking studies of chimpanzee social and emotional behaviour, along with her past modeling of the interconnectedness of all life, have inspired generations of ethologists and conservationists. Her advocacy for plant-based living has inspired countless individuals to reconsider their dietary choices in light of environmental sustainability.