Jane Goodall tells EU: 'If we don't do things differently, we're finished!'

Published 04/06/2020

'If we don't do things differently, we're finished,' legendary Jane Goodall, PHD, DBE, Founder – The Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, told EU leaders.

On 2 June 2020, Dr Jane Goodall spoke at our online conference: ‘Pandemics, wildlife and intensive animal farming,’ where she warned EU leaders that inaction "can lead to the end of our species' tenure on planet Earth."

“We have brought this on ourselves. And it's because of our absolute disrespect for the environment and for animals," Dr Jane Goodall added. “Our disrespect of wild animals and our disrespect of farmed animals has all led to these environments where diseases can top over, cross the species barrier, spill over from an animal to a human being."

"If we just carry on with business as usual, that will actually lead to the end of our species' tenure on planet Earth," Dr Jane Goodall warned.

We organised the conference together with seven Members of the European Parliament. EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides and EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski gave introductory remarks by video. Philip Lymbery also stressed that "big changes are needed today." The live conference was attended by nearly 1,300 participants.